Possible Clues:

• Carmen's creator
• Author Prosper __ who wrote "Carmen," on which the opera is based
• Writer whose 'Carmen' was the basis for Bizet's opera
• Writer whose novella 'Carmen' is the basis of Bizet's opera
• ''Carmen'' author Prosper
• Prosper in cheerful time of year, as they say
• "Carmen" author
• French author who wrote "Carmen," on which the opera is based
• "Carmen" author Prosper