Contributor(s):Author: Prosper MerimeeCarmen (1845) by Prosper M rim e is the original novella that inspired the classic opera by Bizet. The unforgettable story of Carmen, a flirtatious, charismatic, and amoral gypsy who bewitches and emotionally enslaves Don Jos , a desperate man, into a tragic obsession, has captivated generations with its passion and sensual intensity.