Dancairo and Remendado tackle Zuniga and take him away from the inn. Zuniga orders Don Jose to leave, but in a fit of jealousy, he defies his commander's orders. Don Jose does not give in until Zuniga arrives at the inn searching for Carmen. Carmen mocks his obedience and tries to persuade him to remain with her and live the gypsy life. Her dance is cut short when a bugle sounds in the distance, signaling Don Jose to return home. When he finally arrives, Carmen dances for him. Mercedes and Frasquita agree to help, but Carmen refuses as she knows that Don Jose will be released from prison that day and meet her at the inn. A while later, once the crowd has dispersed, the smugglers Dancairo and Remendado ask for help from Carmen and her two friends. However, his attempts are unsuccessful, as are Officer Zuniga's, who tells Carmen that he will return to the inn later to meet with her-Carmen's heart waits for Don Jose's release from prison. During the Toreador song, 'Votre toast, je peux vos le rendre,' Escamilo attempts to capture Carmen's heart. When Don Jose is discovered for letting Carmen escape, he is thrown in jail for one month's time.Īt Lilas Pastia's Inn, Carmen and her friends, Mercedes and Frasquita, are socializing with several soldiers including Officer Zuniga, when the victorious bullfighter, Escamillo, arrives with a celebrating entourage. However, Carmen charms Don Jose into letting her escape. Zuniga commands Don Jose to escort Carmen to prison. Carmen injures the woman before she is captured by Officer Zuniga. Moments later, a fight breaks out at the cigarette factory between Carmen and another woman. Don Jose promises his fidelity and love to Micaela. In the letter, Don Jose's mother has asked him to marry Micaela. Shortly after that, Micaela returns with a letter and a kiss sent to Don Jose by his mother. Don Jose picks up the flower and becomes enchanted by the beautiful Carmen.

When Carmen sees Don Jose, she tosses a flower in front of him to seduce him.

Her reply is given in the famous aria, 'L'amour est un oiseau rebella' a.k.a. The soldiers flirt with the girls and ask Carmen when she will love them. Soon, Don Jose arrives moments before the cigarette factory bell rings and a group of women, including the beautiful gypsy, Carmen, exit the building. The soldiers try to persuade the young girl to stay with them until Don Jose returns, but she declines and leaves. In a town square in Seville, soldiers and townspeople are gathered chatting and moving about, when a young peasant girl name Micaela questions the soldiers about her love, Don Jose.

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