Summary
In 1875 Paris, a twelve-year-old girl named Michelle takes piano lessons from the ailing composer Georges Bizet and is swept up in the fiery story of his new opera, Carmen. As Bizet shares the music and the drama behind it, Michelle learns that great art can arrive even in a hard season of life. Features music from Carmen, L'Arlesienne, and The Pearl Fishers.
Viewer safety
Ages 7+Emotional themes
The composer is unwell throughout and the film gently acknowledges Bizet's death near the end — a good chance to talk about it, but preview if your class is sensitive.
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Teaching resources
Discussion questions
A young girl learns about the opera Carmen straight from the composer Georges Bizet.
- What is an opera? How is it different from a song you might sing in class?
- How did the music of Carmen help tell a story without words?
- Bizet kept composing even when he was tired and ill. Why do you think the music mattered so much to him?
- Which piece of Bizet's music stuck with you, and why?
Quick work-a-long
Words to know: opera, melody, dramatic, aria
- Pick one melody from the film and describe whether it sounded happy, sad, exciting, or mysterious.
- Carmen tells a story with music. Choose a feeling and hum or tap a rhythm that matches it.