Second Scene: The Tobacco Factory
A group of gypsies improvises a song and dance, while the women roll together the tobacco leaves into cigars on their thighs.
Manolita, one of the workers, reminds her of the approaching wedding which will make a lady of her. She dreams of visiting the Easter Procession with her newly-wed husband, and of wearing a mantilla. The Virgin Mary is carried inside by two sinners, and a Saeta resounds (a song played during Lent processions).
Carmen, blind with anger and jealousy, stands up, and throws herself upon Manolita, tears up her clothes, pulls a knife, and stabs her in the face. Manolita’s and Carmen’s girlfriends each form groups that confront each other violently. The fight ends upon the entry of the police officers, led by Don Jose. Carmen flirts with him and sways him to let her escape. Once again the gypsy managed to trick the much hated police.
Third Scene: The Prison
Don Jose behind bars: “I don’t know that girl ever spoke a word of truth in her life, but when she did speak, I believed her – I couldn’t help myself…”“and then ,in spite of myself, I used to smell the acacia blossom she had thrown at me, and which, dry as it was, still kept its sweet scent.”
The old gypsy Dorotea, the voice of the oracle, sings the story of the Basque from Navarro, Don Jose.
Don Jose is in prison for letting Carmen escape. Like his fellow inmates. Don Jose in his isolation abandons himself to his memories. He has kept the blossom Carmen threw at him in the square. He flees into an erotic dream in which he recalls the nights of love and tenderness he has spent with the beautiful gypsy.
Fourth Scene: The Room
Don Jose: “hat girl was good company, I can tell you! Evening fell, and I heard the drums beating tattoo…”
On the same day Don Jose is discharged from prison he meets Carmen. The two go up to her room where she nearly drives Don Jose out of his mind. Beguiled by this woman’s seductive manner and the erotic energy she embodies, he nearly misses the roll call of the trumpet that brings him back to the reality of military life.
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