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“Carmen” by Georges Bizet libretto (English)
| Contents: Roles; Act One; Act Two; Act Three; Act Four |
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The tavern of Lillas Pastia (Carmen, Mercédès, Frasquita, Lieutenant Zuniga, Moralès and another lieutenant are there. A meal has just been finished and the table is in disorder. The officers and gypsy girls are smoking. Two gypsies are strumming guitars in a corner of the room; in the middle, two gypsy girls are singing. Carmen, seated, is watching them dance. An officer is talking to her quietly, but she pays him no attention whatsoever. Suddenly she gets up and begins to sing.) No. 11 Gypsy Song CARMEN The sistrums' rods were jingling with a metallic clatter, and at this strange music the zingarellas leapt to their feet. Tambourines were keeping time and the frenzied guitars ground away under persistent hands, the same song, the same refrain. Tralalalala... (During the refrain the gypsy girls dance, and Mercédès and Frasquita join Carmen in singing: Tralalalala.) Copper and silver rings glittered on ducky skins; Orange- and red-striped dresses floated in the wind. Dance and song became one - |
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at first timid and hesitant, then livelier and faster it grew and grew! Tralalalala... The gypsy boys stormed away on their instruments with all their might, and this deafening uproar bewitched the zingaras! Beneath the rhythm of the song, passionate, wild, fired with excitement, they let themselves be carried away, intoxicated, by the whirlwind! Tralalalala... Recitative FRASQUITA Gentlemen, Pastia tells me... ZUNIGA What does Master Pastia want this time? FRASQUITA He says the corregidor wants the inn closed. ZUNIGA Oh, well, we'll go. You'll come with us. FRASQUITA No, we're staying. ZUNIGA And you, Carmen? Aren't you coming? |
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Listen, a word in your ear; you've a grudge against me. CARMEN A grudge against you! Why? ZUNIGA That soldier sent to prison the other day because of you... CARMEN What have they done with the poor chap? ZUNIGA He's free now! CARMEN He's free! So much the better. Goodnight to you, gentlemen-admirers! CARMEN, FRASQUITA and MERCÉDÈS Goodnight to you, gentlemen-admirers! No. 12 Chorus CHORUS (outside) Hurrah! Hurrah for the Toreador! Hurrah! Hurrah for Escamillo! ZUNIGA A torchlight procession! It's the winner of the Granada bullfights. (Escamillo appears.) Will you drink with us, comrade? |
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To your past and future triumphs! CHORUS Hurrah! Hurrah for the Toreador! Hurrah! Hurrah for Escamillo! No. 13 (Toreador's Song) ESCAMILLO I can return your toast, gentlemen, for soldiers - yes - and bullfighters understand each other; fighting is their game! The ring is packed, it's a holiday, the ring is full from top to bottom. The spectators, losing their wits, yell at each other at the tops of their voices! Exclamations, cries and uproar carried to the pitch of fury! For this is the fiesta of courage, this is the fiesta of the stouthearted! Let's go! On guard! Ah! Toreador, on guard! And remember, yes, remember as you fight, that two dark eyes are watching you, that love awaits you! Toreador, love awaits you! CHORUS Toreador, on guard! etc. (Carmen refills Escamillo's glass.) ESCAMILLO Suddenly everyone falls silent; |
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ah - what's happening? No more shouts, this is the moment! The bull comes bounding out of the toril! He charges, comes in, strikes! A horse rolls over, dragging down a picador! "Ah! Bravo bull!" roars the crowd; the bull turns, comes back, comes back and strikes again! Shaking his banderillas, maddened with rage, he runs about! The ring is covered with blood! Men jump clear, leap the barriers. It's your turn now! Let's go! On guard! Ah! Toreador, on guard! etc. CHORUS Toreador, on guard! etc. Recitative (Everyone drinks, then exchanges handclasps with the matador. The officers get ready to go. Escamillo finds himself at Carmen's side.) ESCAMILLO A word, pretty one: what do they call you? In my worst danger I want to utter your name. CARMEN Carmen! Carmencita! It comes to the same thing! ESCAMILLO If someone told you he loved you?... |
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CARMEN I should reply that I don't need loving. ESCAMILLO That's not a friendly answer; I'll content myself with hoping and waiting. CARMEN To wait is permitted, to hope is sweet. ZUNIGA Since you're not coming, Carmen, I shall return. CARMEN And you'll be making a big mistake! ZUNIGA Bah! I'll take the risk! (Zuniga and Escamillo leave. Le Dancaïre and Le Remendado enter.) Recitative FRASQUITA Well now, quickly, what's new? LE DANCAÏRE The news isn't too bad, and we may yet be able to pull off some good jobs! But we require your services. |
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FRASQUITA, MERCÉDÈS and CARMEN Our services? LE DANCAÏRE Yes, we require your services. No. 14 Quintet We have a scheme in mind. MERCÉDÈS and FRASQUITA Tell us, is it good? LE DANCAÏRE and LE REMENDADO It's admirable, my dear; but we require your services. ALL FIVE Ours? etc. Yours! etc. LE DANCAÏRE and LE REMENDADO For we humbly and most respectfully acknowledge: when it's a question of trickery, of deception, of thieving, it's always good, I swear, to have women around. And without them, my lovelies, no one ever does any good! FRASQUITA, MERCÉDÈS and CARMEN What? Without us no one does any good? |
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LE DANCAÏRE and LE REMENDADO Isn't that your opinion? FRASQUITA, MERCÉDÈS and CARMEN Indeed, that's my opinion. Yes indeed, really it is. QUINTET When it's a question of trickery, etc. LE DANCAÏRE It's settled then; you'll go? FRASQUITA and MERCÉDÈS Whenever you like. LE DANCAÏRE Why, straight away. CARMEN Ah! Just a moment! If you want to go, go; but I'm not in on this trip. I won't go! I won't go! LE DANCAÏRE and LE REMENDADO Carmen, my love, you will come - CARMEN I won't go! I won't go! LE DANCAÏRE and LE REMENDADO And you won't have the heart to leave us in the lurch. |
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FRASQUITA and MERCÉDÈS Ah! my Carmen, you will come. CARMEN I won't go! etc. LE DANCAÏRE But the reason, Carmen, at least you'll tell us the reason. QUARTET The reason, the reason! CARMEN Certainly I'll give it. QUARTET Let's have it! Let's have it! CARMEN The reason is that at this moment... QUARTET Well? Well? CARMEN I'm in love! LE DANCAÏRE and LE REMENDADO (astonished) What did she say? FRASQUITA and MERCÉDÈS She said she's in love! |
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QUARTET In love! CARMEN Yes, in love! LE DANCAÏRE See here, Carmen, be serious! CARMEN Head over heels in love! LE DANCAÏRE and LE REMENDADO This is certainly astonishing, but it's not the first time, my pet, that you've been able to combine love and duty. CARMEN My friends, I'd be most happy to go with you this evening; but this time - don't be annoyed - love must come before duty. LE DANCAÏRE That's not your final word? CARMEN Absolutely! LE REMENDADO You must relent. QUARTET You must come, Carmen, you must come! |
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It's necessary for our scheme, for between ourselves... CARMEN As to that, I admit with you that... QUINTET (reprise) When it's a question of trickery, etc. Recitative LE DANCAÏRE But what are you waiting for? CARMEN Nothing much - a soldier who, for doing me a good turn the other day, was clapped in prison. LE REMENDADO It's a delicate situation. LE DANCAÏRE After all, it's possible your soldier may have second thoughts. Are you quite sure that he'll come? |
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No. 15 Song JOSÉ (in the far distance) Halt! Who goes there? Dragoon of Alcala! CARMEN Listen! JOSÉ Where are you going there, Dragoon of Alcala? - CARMEN There he is! JOSÉ Me, I'm going to make my rival bite the dust. - If that's the case, pass, my friend. An affair of honour, an affair of the heart - that explains everything for us Dragoons of Alcala! FRASQUITA He's a handsome dragoon. MERCÉDÈS A very handsome dragoon! LE DANCAÏRE - Who might be a useful companion for us. |
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LE REMEMDADO Tell him to come with us. CARMEN He will refuse. LE DANCAÏRE But try, at least. CARMEN All right, I'll try. (Le Remendado goes out, Le Dancaïre following him with the girls.) JOSÉ (the sound of his voice considerably closer) Halt! Who goes there? Dragoon of Alcala! Where are you going there, Dragoon of Alcala? - Punctual and faithful, I go where the love of my fair lady calls me! - If that's the case, pass, friend. An affair of the heart, an affair of the heart, that explains everything for us Dragoons of Alcala! (Don José enters.) Recitative |
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CARMEN So it's you! JOSÉ Carmen! CARMEN And you're just out of prison? JOSÉ I was there two months. CARMEN You're complaining about it? JOSÉ Faith, no! And if it was for you I'd gladly be there still. CARMEN You love me, then? JOSÉ I adore you! CARMEN Your officers were here recently; they got us to dance. JOSÉ What, you? CARMEN May I die if you're not jealous! |
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JOSÉ I'm jealous all right! No. 16 Duet CARMEN Softly, sir, softly. I am going to dance in your honour, and you will see, my lord, how I am able to accompany my dance! Sit down there, Don José. I'll begin! (She makes José sit down in a corner, and starts to dance, humming and accompanying herself with her castanets. José is entranced. Bugles are heard in the distance sounding Retreat. José cocks an ear. He comes over to Carmen and compels her to stop.) JOSÉ Wait a little, Carmen, only for a moment, stop! CARMEN And why, if you please? JOSÉ I think, over there... yes, those are our bugles sounding Retreat! Can't you hear them? CARMEN Bravo! Bravo! I was trying in vain; |
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it's dismal dancing without an orchestra. And long live music that drops on us out of the skies! (She resumes her song. The bugles sound nearer, pass beneath the windows of the inn, then fade in the distance.) JOSÉ You didn't understand me, Carmen, it's Retreat; I've got to get back to quarters for roll-call. CARMEN To quarters! For roll-call! Ah! Really I was too stupid! I went out of my way and took the trouble, yes, took the trouble to entertain the gentleman! I sang! I danced! I believe, God forgive me, I almost fell in love! Taratata! It's the bugle sounding! Taratata! He's off! He's gone! Go, you're yellow as your tunic! (angrily throwing his cap at him) Here! take your shako, your sword, your bandolier; |
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and clear off, my son, clear off! Clear off back to your barracks! JOSÉ It's cruel of you, Carmen, to make fun of me! It pains me to go, for never has a woman - never before you has any women so deeply stirred my heart! CARMEN "Taratata, my God! It's the Retreat! Taratata, I'm going to be late!" He loses his wits, he rushes off, and that's his love! JOSÉ So you don't believe in my love? CARMEN Of course not! JOSÉ Very well! You shall listen to me! CARMEN I don't want to listen to anything! JOSÉ You shall hear me! CARMEN You're going to be late! JOSÉ You shall hear me! |
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CARMEN No! No! No! No! JOSÉ Yes, you shall hear me! I insist, Carmen! You shall hear me! (He reaches inside his tunic and takes out the cassia flower Carmen threw him in Act One.) The flower that you threw to me stayed with me in my prison. Withered and dried up, that flower always kept its sweet perfume; and for hours at a time, with my eyes closed, I became drunk with its smell and in the night I used to see you! I took to cursing you, detesting you, asking myself why did destiny have to throw her across my path? Then I accused myself of blasphemy, and felt within myself, I felt but one desire, one desire, one hope: to see you again, Carmen, to see you again! For you had only to appear, only to throw a glance my way, to take possession of my whole being, O my Carmen, and I was your chattel! Carmen, I love you! |
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CARMEN No, you don't love me! JOSÉ What are you saying? CARMEN No, you don't love me, no! For if you did, you'd follow me over there. JOSÉ Carmen! CARMEN Yes! - Away over there into the mountains, away over there you'd follow me. You'd take me up behind you on your horse and like a daredevil you'd carry me off across the country! Away over there into the mountains! JOSÉ Carmen! CARMEN Away over there you'd follow me, if you loved me! There you'd not be dependent on anyone; there'd be no officer you had to obey, |
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and no Retreat sounding to tell a lover that it is time to go! The open sky, the wandering life, the whole wide world your domain; for law your own free will, and above all, that intoxicating thing: Freedom! Freedom! JOSÉ Oh God! CARMEN Away over there in the mountains, etc. JOSÉ Ah! Carmen, alas! Stop it! Have pity! CARMEN Yes, isn't it so, you will follow me there, you love me and you'll follow me! Take me away over there! JOSÉ Ah! stop, stop! No! I won't listen to you! To abandon my colours - to desert... that's shameful, that's dastardly! I'll have none of it! CARMEN All right then go! JOSÉ Carmen, I implore you! |
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CARMEN No, I don't love you any more! JOSÉ Listen! CARMEN Go! I hate you! Goodbye! And goodbye for ever! JOSÉ All right, so be it...goodbye for ever! CARMEN Get out! JOSÉ Carmen! Goodbye, goodbye for ever! CARMEN Goodbye! (Don José hurries towards the door; just as he reaches it, somebody knocks.) No. 17 Finale ZUNIGA (outside) Hallo there, Carmen! Hallo! Hallo! JOSÉ Who's that knocking? Who's there? CARMEN Keep quiet! |
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ZUNIGA (forcing the door) I'm opening up myself, and coming in. (sees Don José - to Carmen) Ah! fie, fie! My lovely lady! This isn't a happy choice; it's demeaning to take the soldier when you've got the officer. (to Don José) Off with you, get moving! JOSÉ No! ZUNIGA You certainly will go! JOSÉ I shall not go! ZUNIGA (striking him) Scoundrel! JOSÉ (drawing his sword) By thunder! It's going to rain blows! CARMEN (throwing herself between them) Devil take the jealous! (calling) Help! Help! (Gypsies appear from all sides. Carmen points to Zuniga. Le Dancaïre and Le Remendado hurl themselves upon him and disarm him.) |
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CARMEN My fine officer! My fine officer, love at the moment is playing you a rather dirty trick. You arrival is most untimely; and alas, we are compelled, not wishing to be betrayed, to detain you...for at least an hour. LE DANCAÏRE and LE REMENDADO My dear sir, if you please, we are going to leave this establishment; you'll come with us? CARMEN Just for a stroll. LE DANCAÏRE and LE REMENDADO Do you consent? ALL THE GYPSIES Answer, comrade. ZUNIGA Certainly, the more so since your argument is one of those that can hardly be resisted; but take care! Look out for yourselves later! LE DANCAÏRE War is war! Meantime, my good sir, carry on without further argument! LE REMENDADO and THE GYPSIES Carry on without further argument! |
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(The officer is led out by four gypsies armed with pistols.) CARMEN (to Don José) Are you one of us now? JOSÉ I have no alternative. CARMEN Ah! that's not gallantly put, but no matter, go, you'll take to it there when you see how fine is the wandering life; the whole world your domain, your own free will for law, and above all that intoxicating thing: Freedom! Freedom! ALL (to Don José) Take to the country with us, come with us into the mountains, come with us and you'll take to it there when you see, away over there, how fine is the wandering life; the whole world your domain, your own free will for law! And above all that intoxicating thing: Freedom! Freedom! The open sky, the wandering life, the whole wide world your domain; your own free will for law, and above all that intoxicating thing: Freedom! Freedom! Entr'acte |
| libretto by Alan Gregory, 1964 |
| Contents: Roles; Act One; Act Two; Act Three; Act Four |