Carmen is a French OPERA composed by Georges Bizet in 1875. It is one of the most popular operas in the world and is based on the novella of the same name by Prosper Merimee. The OPERA features many famous arias, such as the 'Habanera' and the 'Toreador Song'. Carmen McRae was an American jazz singer who recorded a version of the 'Habanera' in 1954. Eric Maura was a Spanish composer who wrote a version of the 'Toreador Song' in 1957.