Carmen (11 page)

El Ritmo del Barrio

“La Habanera”

Carmen introduces herself through this song. Using a Habanera, a Cuban dance form, she expresses the idea that love, for her, is a risky business. I love this song because I know that love in many inner cities is really risky. But either something she sees in José attracts her, or else she recognizes some need in herself to fall in love. The music is lilting and invites the listener to get up and dance! Bizet understood this Cuban music, which bears a strong African influence.

La Habanera

“La Seguidilla”

Here, Carmen has been arrested for fighting but she challenges José to release her! This is a bold move on her part, and the music for it comes from a Spanish folk dance. The dance involves intricate steps and virtually dares José to respond. Will he give in to her charms? Will he take the risk that this inner-city woman urges and prove his love for her? Or will he turn away and do his duty as a police officer? Carmen tells José to release her and meet her later at a neighborhood club she knows. The women of Bizet’s opera, working in a cigarette factory, would have been familiar with this style of music.

La Seguidilla