On 9 January 1884 , '' Carmen '' was given its first New York Metropolitan Opera performance , to a mixed critical reception . '' The New York Times '' welcomed Bizet 's " pretty and effective work " , but compared Zelia Trebelli 's interpretation of the title role unfavourably with that of Minnie Hauk . Thereafter '' Carmen '' was quickly incorporated into the Met 's regular repertory . In February 1906 Enrico Caruso sang José at the Met for the first time ; he continued to perform in this role until 1919 , two years before his death . On 17 April 1906 , on tour with the Met , he sang the role at the Grand Opera House in San Francisco . Afterwards he sat up until 3 am reading the reviews in the early editions of the following day 's papers . Two hours later he was awakened by the first violent shocks of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake , after which he and his fellow performers made a hurried escape from the Palace Hotel
1906 San Francisco earthquake
1906 San Francisco earthquake
Carmen