Carmen - Tragedy and then Triumph
Donald Macleod tells the story of Bizet's final months, during which time he awarded the Legion of Honour.
On the 3rd of March 1875 Bizet was invested with the ribbon of a knight of Legion of Honour, France's highest cultural distinction. The date was not insignificant: that very evening, his new opera Carmen would have its premiere at the Opera-Comique. The Parisian press would go on to savage Carmen, and within weeks the composer was dead. Donald Macleod tells the story of Bizet's final months.
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Music Played
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Georges Bizet
Carmen - prelude
Conductor: Claudio ABBADO Performer: LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA - Main Artist
- Deutsche Grammophon.
- 4196362.
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Georges Bizet
Carmen - Mon officer../Pres des ramparts.../Voici l'ordre
Conductor: Thomas BEECHAM Performer: Victoria de LOS ANGELES - Soprano Performer: French Radio Orchestra
- EMI.
- CDS556214 2.
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Georges Bizet
Carmen - La fleur que tu.../Hola Carmen!
Conductor: Georges PRETRE Performer: French Radio Orchestra Performer: Maria CALLAS - Soprano
- EMI.
- CDM-5 65952-2.
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Georges Bizet
Carmen - Melons! Melons...
Conductor: Andre CLUYTENS Performer: Paris Opera Comique Orchestra
- EMI.
- CMS 5-65318 2.
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Georges Bizet
Carmen - Si tu m'aimes.../Duo Final
Conductor: Herbert von KARAJAN Performer: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
- Deutsche Grammophon.
- 4196362.
Broadcasts
- Fri 16 Mar 201212:00BBC Radio 3
- Fri 16 Mar 201218:00BBC Radio 3
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