Who is Carmen

The title role in Bizet's Carmen was originally performed by French mezzo-soprano Galli-Marié (pictured). Whilst Bizet's opera is the most famous depiction of this story, it was based on a novella by Prosper Mérimée. Since then there have been numerous interpretations of this compelling and passionate tale.

Since then numerous performers have played Carmen in an array of interpretations. The story of Carmen has been reimagined with an all black cast in Carmen Jones, set to hip hop in an MTV production starring Beyonce,  set in South Africa and many other interpretations.