Georges Bizet was a French composer who lived from 1838 to 1875. He is best known for his opera Carmen, which is one of the most famous operas in the world. Born in Paris, Bizet showed great musical talent from a young age and entered the Conservatoire at only nine years old. He studied with well-known composers, such as Charles Gounod, and won the Prix de Rome in 1857, which allowed him to study in Italy.

Although he had talent, Bizet did not achieve fame during his lifetime. His operas like Les pêcheurs de perles and La jolie fille de Perth were not very well received. His last opera, Carmen, premiered in 1875 but received a mixed response. It became popular only after his death. Bizet passed away at age 36, never knowing the success of his work. Today, he is celebrated for his contributions to 19th-century French music.