Getting out of an Arrest, Opera Style

Carmen, one of the most famous "bad girls" of opera, loves who she wants, smokes 'em if she's got 'em, and has a penchant for knife fights. As you'd imagine, her run-ins with the law are far from infrequent. Of course, her charms are legion, so it's not too hard for Carmen (Rinat Shaham) to convince Corporal Don José (Neil Shicoff) that she really doesn't need to spend another night in prison after all. For translation of the aria Près des remparts de Séville (outside the walls of Seville), click here.

Well, that's one way to negotiate...if you'd like to see more of Carmen, join us this December for Shining Stars at the Met, where you'll see their sultry new production with acclaimed mezzo-soprano Elîna Garança. With our orchestra prime seats, you might even get a whiff of Carmen's perfume...and her cigarette smoke, of course!

Who's your favorite "bad girl" from opera, theater, literature, or film? Please share!