of how good it is to be a gypsy. Many of the soldiers are at the tavern and Zuniga tells Carmen that Joses sentence is up today. Escamillo the matador enters the tavern with his entourage and sings of his victory in the bullring and in love with the Toreador Song. Here, Escamillo makes advances to Carmen who says she is not currently available. The tavern is now closing so Escamillo leaves and Zuniga wants to know if Carmen would like to keep his company and she refuses. Carmen tells Zuniga that she is waiting for Don Jose and he leaves. Here alone, Carmen is faced with her smuggler friends Dancairo and Remendado so a quintet is being sung here. They want Carmen and her gypsy friends to help them smuggle contraband into the country. Carmen says she cannot join them for the reason that she is waiting for her lover, Don Jose, which his voice is heard in the distance. Dancairo and Remendado leave urging Carmen to bring Jose along. Jose enters the tavern and declares his love for Carmen. She then does a seductive dance for him and during this Jose hears the trumpet calling a retreat and he tells she that he must return for formation. Carmen is furious and is hushed when he sings about the flower she threw at him in the square. Jose recounts his sufferings in prison and the possibility of her love. Jose is so obsessed with Carmen he would do anything for her. Carmen tells Jose if he really loved her, he would desert the army to be with her. Zuniga bursts into the tavern and orders Don Jose back to the barracks. It is here, Jose refuses and the two begin to fight when the smugglers appear. Zuniga is unarmed and forced out of the tavern. Jose has no choice now but to lead the life of an outcast and deserter.The Entracte music in the opening to the third act was very different from the opening Prelude. There is a harp introduction with the flute joining. The music is solemn, with a great deal of harmony and having a ve...
