Poste Monaco 100th Anniversary of the Opera Carmen

POSTE MONACO on 13 May 1975 issued a four-stamp First Day Covet set celebrating the 100th anniversary of the opera Carmen by Georges Bizet. The set was designed and engraved by Albert Decaris who did a superlative polyptych piece. Since Carmen has four acts, a stamp has been illustrated  each of these acts.

Carmen is a tale of seduction, passion, infidelity, jealousy and murder. Bizet’s famous heroine first appeared in a novella by Prosper Mérimée in 1845. Thirty years later, Bizet adapted the story into an opera. It was first performed at the Opéra-Comique in Paris on 3 March 1875. It was considered quite scandalous for its time! Since then it has become one of the world’s most loved, with the free-spirited Carmen at its heart.

ACT 1 (0.30 stamp)

Carmen appears in the square in front of the tobacco factory smoking a cigarette. The men in the square surround Carmen and try to woo her, but she refuses. When the men try to rape her, Jose, a soldier who happens to be there, helps her, but Carmen leaves, not happy about Jose's affections. At that moment, Jose is captivated by Carmen's beauty. Later, Carmen gets into a fight and is thrown into a cell in the tobacco factory, but Jose lets her escape and chooses to take the punishment himself.

ACT 2  (0.60 stamp)

The tavern "Lillas Pastia" is packed with customers. The bullfighter Escamillo makes advances to Carmen, but she doesn't pay him any attention. Next, Jose appears at the tavern to see her. Carmen is delighted and welcomes him with songs and dances, but then the army's trumpet sounds to signal the end of the war. As Jose prepares to leave, she becomes angry and sad. Jose is unable to give up his honor as a soldier, but he cannot bring himself to part with Carmen, and he eventually confesses his love. He decides to quit being a soldier and join Carmen's group.

ACT 3  (0.80 stamp)

However, it is discovered that Carmen is a member of a smuggling ring. Jose regrets joining the group, and Carmen, who wants free love, proposes breaking up with him, but Jose refuses. Carmen's friends start reading cards. Carmen is shocked and unable to hide her shock when her death is predicted. The bullfighter Escamillo visits Carmen in her hideout. Jose learns that Escamillo is in love with Carmen and challenges him to a duel, but his friends intervene.

ACT 4  (1.40F stamp)

As the bullfighters gather in the crowded square, the spectators welcome them with loud cheers. Escamillo approaches Carmen and tells her he loves her. Carmen accepts his love and remains alone in the square. At that moment, Jose appears. Jose tries to win back Carmen's love, but she coldly pushes him away. Jose blocks Carmen as she heads to the bullring. Carmen throws the ring Jose gave her at him and prepares to leave. In the end, Jose kills Carmen.