The story of Carmen is set in Seville, Spain, in 1820. It is story of a passionate, fickle, gypsy girl, Carmen, who is one of six major roles in the opera. The story, in four acts, is action-packed, animated, flowing, and never uninteresting. Bizet was well acquainted with Spanish folklore and folk music through his many visits to Spain. For Carmen, he composed a score that is rhythmical, tuneful, and characteristic of the gypsy lifestyle. The adaptation for concert band is a suite in four movements that retains the spirit of the original production.
