In general the freedom heard in Carmen’s music is not duplicated in Don Jose’s music or any other character in the opera. She is a separate way of life and this is how Bizet successfully stands her out from the rest. Even Sally Macarthur in her online journal writes, “Carmen’s music refuses to be contained. It is used to mercilessly manipulate Don José, who is obsessed with her. By giving Carmen unpredictable, disordered music, she is portrayed as the opposite of Don José.” There is no chance for Don José to get a glimpse of what is going on. Her dances, and sensual chromatics and ornaments keep her forever free until Don José really comes into the picture and disrupts her fate. After an eventful introduction of Act Two with Carmen and her …show more content…
It is very similar to a commentary such as a recitative in Italian style would. This separation kept their emotions and musical characters from bonding to prevent any ideas of love or unity.
It is also important to notice that Don José, in the music and translation, never end as if he keeps trying to pursue Carmen. On the opposite end, Carmen sings firmly and has declamatory texts that have an ending point. This is reflective of their feelings towards each other as Don José obsesses over his lover until the last moment while Carmen is free even in her last breaths. She knew what she desired and that was to be flighty and free and this was not to be met well with the soldier.
When referencing Image 3 above once again, it is important to notice the agitation within Don José’s line as well. His melody constantly moves upward and acts in much faster rhythm than Carmen’s, which audibly and visually creates emotions of tension in his character. His aria is mainly scalar but now his melodies have more leaps in them suggesting less stability as he laments into insanity before he murders Carmen. Carmen’s line in this excerpt for example has lengthy rhythms and soft dynamics. She comes across as stable and definite. Until the final stabbing there is a constant feeling of pushing. The tonic trying to be reached represents Carmen’s death because there is finally a major, resolving chord that closes the curtain of the