Janie O'Brien's piece for May is the Opera Carmen, completed for Wendy Hanna.

I've always adored the opera, Carmen,  even as a child, when I first saw the Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte in the film version made in 1954 . I was age eight and saw it with mum and dad at the Hampton picture theatre in Victoria. It contains some of the best music ever written - one of my favourites being Habanera. I have seen many versions of the opera since then and often feel the need to see it once again late at night on Youtube.

Had I not chosen Carmen, I would have chosen a Freddie Mercury (Queen) song. I hope someone else choses Freddie who shall live forever in sound.

The background comprises acrylics and sprays. Fussy cut images that make up the collage from Pinterest & Google. I created a pocket which contains a scroll with the words to the song Habanera, a hauntingly beautiful song:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFFoxeCACOw

Love is a rebellious bird

that no one can tame,

and if you call for it, it'll be quite in vain

for it's in its nature to say no.

Nothing helps, neither a threat nor a prayer

one talks well, the other rests silent

and it's the other one that i prefere

doesn't say a thing, but pleases me.

Love! Love! Love! Love!

Love is a gypsy's child,

it has never, never known what law is,

if you do not love me, i love you

if i love you, then beware!

if you do not love me,

if you do not love me, i love you!

but if i love you,

if i love you, then beware!

The bird you thought you had caught by surprise

beats its wings and flies away...

love lies afar, you can wait for it

and when you don't expect it anymore, there it is!

All around you twirls faster, faster

it comes and goes, and then comes back.

you think you've caught it, it eludes you,

you think you've escaped it, it captures you.

Love! Love! Love! Love!

Love is a gypsy's child,

it has never, never known what law is,

if you do not love me, i love you

if i love you, then beware!

if you do not love me,

if you do not love me, i love you!

but if i love you,

if i love you, then beware!