Carmen and Back to the Beginning
Donald Macleod traces Bizet's musical development back to its roots and presents some of his earliest works, including the Symphony in C, written when the composer was just 17.
Georges Bizet's Carmen is reputed to have had a disastrous opening night, but as Donald Macleod discovers in today's programme, it wasn't quite as simple as that. Although by the end of that performance the critical reception was negative enough to deeply upset the composer, there were times during the premiere when it seemed as if Carmen would turn out to be the triumph that Bizet had wanted for so long. We trace his musical development back to its roots and hear some of his earliest works, including the Symphony in C, written when Bizet was just 17.
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Georges Bizet
Carmen - opera in 4 acts
Conductor: Thomas BEECHAM Conductor: Thomas BEECHAM Performer: Victoria de LOS ANGELES - Soprano Performer: French Radio Orchestra
- EMI.
- CDS556214 2.
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Georges Bizet
La Chasse Fantastique
Performer: Per SETRAK - Piano
- Chant du Monde.
- LCD27877677.
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Georges Bizet
Feuilles d'album
Performer: Ann MURRAY - Mezzo-soprano Performer: Graham JOHNSON - Piano
- Hyperion.
- CDA66976.
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Georges Bizet
Symphony in C major
Conductor: Bernard HAITINK Performer: Amsterdam Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
- PHILIPS.
- 416-437-2.
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Georges Bizet
Carmen - opera in 4 acts
Conductor: Leonard BERNSTEIN Performer: New York Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
- DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON.
- DG 427 440-2.
Broadcasts
- Mon 12 Mar 201212:00BBC Radio 3
- Mon 12 Mar 201218:30BBC Radio 3
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