Carmenin the Midi Amphitheatres: A ‘Tauro-Comique’ Spectacle

Hybrid spectacles blending opera and bullfighting, termed 'opéra tauro-comique,' emerged in the Roman amphitheatres of Arles and Nîmes during the Third Republic, democratizing cultural experiences. These performances, combining Bizet's Carmen with live corridas, were a popular attraction from 1899 to 1981, particularly at Whitsun ferias. The study examines how these spectacles articulated disparate elements of opera and bullfighting, challenging perceptions of Spanish local color and ritualistic violence while fostering a shared meridional identity. Audience reactions and the cultural significance of this fusion are explored through historical analysis.

Lardic, S. T. (2020). Carmenin the Midi Amphitheatres: A ‘Tauro-Comique’ Spectacle. ≪I>Carmen Abroad, 335–349. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108674515.021