 Ralph P. Locke , in his study of Carmen 's origins , draws attention to Bizet 's successful evocation of Andalusian Spain . Grout , in his History of Western Music , praises the music 's extraordinary rhythmic and melodic vitality , and Bizet 's ability to obtain the maximum dramatic effect in the most economical fashion . Among the opera 's early champions were Tchaikovsky , Brahms , and particularly Wagner , who commented : " Here , thank God , at last for a change is somebody with ideas in his head . " Another champion of the work was Friedrich Nietzsche , who claimed to know it by heart ; " It is music that makes no pretensions to depth , but it is delightful in its simplicity , so unaffected and sincere " . By broad consent , Carmen represents the fulfilment of Bizet 's development as a master of music drama , and the culmination of the genre of opéra comique . 
