By Wynne Delacoma [Chicago Sun-Times, 26 September 2005]

When it comes to operatic icons, Bizet's Carmen is in a class by herself. She has strong competition from leading ladies of the other operas that perennially top audience's Most Favorite lists -- Mimi in Puccini's "La boheme'' and two of Verdi's most memorable creations: Violetta of "La traviata'' and Aida. This being opera, they all wind up as corpses.