French Opera is a genre of classical music that originated in France during the 17th century. The two most famous French Operas are 'CARMEN' and 'Romeo et Juliette'. 'CARMEN' is a four-act opera composed by Georges Bizet in 1875, based on a novella of the same name by Prosper Merimee. It tells the story of the downfall of Don Jose, a naïve soldier who is seduced by the wiles of the fiery gypsy CARMEN. 'Romeo et Juliette' is a five-act opera composed by Charles Gounod in 1867, based on William Shakespeare's play of the same name. It tells the story of the two young lovers from rival families, Romeo and Juliet, and their ill-fated romance.