and begs Jose to return with her to see his dying mother. He fights with his conscience whether to stay with Carmen or go to his beloved mother. Carmen mocks to him that he should go, and Jose swears that they will meet again. He and Micaela make their trip down the mountain. Act IV starts outside the bullring in Seville. The opening music relates to the some of the Prelude music as well as the Toreador music with an oboe solo with the piccolo and tambourine giving the charm of the Spanish influence. The crowd has gathered to watch the procession of the matadors and cheers Escamillo. He appears along with Carmen on his arm. Carmen sees Frasquita and Mercedes. They warn her that Jose was seen in the crowd and had been looking for her. As the bullfight begins, Carmen remains outside the ring only to be confronted by Jose. The scene with Carmen and Jose leaves a lot of tension here more so than in Act II where it was more sexual. Jose still is infatuated with Carmen and he realizes that she no longer loves him. Carmen knows this is her final hour and proclaims that she will always be free. Jose begs and pleads for her love and is furious that she still will not return his love. As she hears sounds from the bullring suggesting Escamillos victory, Carmen throws the ring Jose had given her. In a violent rage he stabs her. He couldnt see anyone loving her except himself. This opera tells the story of a mans infatuation with a woman that throws her heart away to any man that picks her fancy. Jose in general is a confused man torn between his mother, Micaela, and Carmen. Being a mommas boy does not help his situation in the least. Jose starts caring for Micaela because his mother wished it so. Carmen comes into his life and he is dumbstruck with lust and that eventually turns into infatuation. By the end of the opera Jose becomes wild with crazy obsession for Carmen. However, Carmen is also looking for a love that will...
