 Adolphe de Leuven , the co @-@ director of the Opéra @-@ Comique most bitterly opposed to the Carmen project , resigned early in 1874 , removing the main barrier to the work 's production . Bizet finished the score during the summer and was pleased with the outcome : " I have written a work that is all clarity and vivacity , full of colour and melody " . The renowned mezzo @-@ soprano Célestine Galli @-@ Marié ( known professionally as " Galli @-@ Marié " ) was engaged to sing the title role . According to Dean she was as delighted by the part as Bizet was by her suitability for it . There were rumours that he and the singer pursued a brief affair ; his relations with Geneviève were strained at this time , and they lived apart for several months . 
