Opera is part of classical music.
What you should have said about the Carmen Fantasy is that is a good introduction to the opera's chief melodies and if the listener liked what he heard, then he might try listening to the opera itself. Bizet's Carmen is one of the greatest operas ever written. The integration of the music and drama is second to none. In reality, Sarasate's cute little arrangement for virtuoso solo violin is a poor substitute for the real thing,which is not necessarily sung by fat people. I was just trying to have a bit of fun with the review, and meant no harm.