What does "signature theme" the recurs throughout the opera represent in Carmen?

it represents fate and destinies of Carmen and Don José

Carmen Act 1 and Act 2 Flashcards by Fanny Lin

What is the genre of Carmen?

lyric opera (French opera with spoken dialogue)

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When did Carmen premiere?

March 3, 1875

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What was the source of plot for Carmen?

novella (short story) by Prosper Mérimée

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Who are the librettists for Carmen?

Ludovic Halévy and Henri Meilhac

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Who is Carmen in Carmen?

mezzo-soprano

a free-spirited gypsy girl

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Who is Don José in Carmen?

tenor

an army corporal

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Who is Escamillo in Carmen?

baritone

a bull-fighter (toreador)

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Who is Macaëla in Carmen?

soprano

Don José’s girlfriend

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Who is Frasquita in Carmen?

soprano

Carmen’s friend

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Who is Mercédès in Carmen?

mezzo-soprano

Carmen’s friend

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What is the key for act 1, "Quand je vous aimerai?" in Carmen?

F minor

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How is Carmen’s teasing nature suggested in act 1, "Quand je vous aimerai?" in Carmen?

clipped phrases that are punctuated nby

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What does “signature theme” the recurs throughout the opera represent in Carmen?

it represents fate and destinies of Carmen and Don José

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What is the aria, "L'amour est un oiseau rebelle" (Carmen's aria), famously known as?

the “Habeñera”

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How is Carmen portrayed in Carmen?

with childlike playfulness and sensuality

she believes love is fickle
comes as unexpectedly as it leaves

men and women dance in the square, echoing her sentiments

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What is the key for act 1, "L'amour est un oiseau rebelle" in Carmen?

D minor

What is the tempo for act 1, "L'amour est un oiseau rebelle" in Carmen?

Allegretto quasi Andantino

What does the chromatic descend in act 1, "L'amour est un oiseau rebelle" mean in Carmen?

it hints at Carmen’s sensuality

What is the ostinato rhythm the cellos playing in act 1, "L'amour est un oiseau rebelle" in Carmen?

a characteristic of Habeñera, a tango-like dance

What do the pizzicato accompaniment suggest in act 1, "L'amour est un oiseau rebelle" in Carmen?

Spanish guitars

What does the shift from D minor to Da major mean in act 1, "L'amour est un oiseau rebelle" in Carmen?

major mode renders music even more caressing and seduction

Who sings act 2, "Votre toast , je peux vous le rendre" in Carmen?

Escamillo (Toreador)

What is the tempo for act 2, "Votre toast , je peux vous le rendre" in Carmen?

Allegro molto moderato

What is the key in act 2, "Votre toast , je peux vous le rendre" in Carmen?

F minor

What is the time signature for act 2, "Votre toast , je peux vous le rendre" in Carmen?

4/4?

What does he melody of the introduction to Escamillo's theme sound like in act 2, "Votre toast , je peux vous le rendre" in Carmen?

chromatically inflected descending line

What does the brusque rhythm played by the trumpets, horns, and trombones convey in act 2, "Votre toast , je peux vous le rendre" in Carmen?

Escamillo's swaggering nature

What atmosphere does the timpani and triangles create in act 2, "Votre toast , je peux vous le rendre" in Carmen?

adds shimmer to the festive atmosphereW

What is the key for act 2, "Toreador, en garde!" in Carmen?

F major

What is the marking above act 2, "Toreador, en garde!" in Carmen?

con fatuità (with smugness) indicates vanity (pride)

How is act 2, "Toreador, en garde!" (chorus) different from the verse in Carmen?

it's more diatonic

What does the ensemble and choir do in act 2, "Toreador, en garde!" in Carmen?

They reiterate the celebratory melody

Frasquita and Mercédès linger on the word "L'amour" in act 2, "Toreador, en garde!" in Carmen. What does Carmen do?

She echoes and her utterance is more angular and chromatic underscores her new attraction to Escamillo.