Essential Bizet
In 'Carmen', Georges Bizet composed one of the best-loved – and most performed – operas. Yet it flopped at its premiere in March 1875 and within three months, at the age of just 36, Bizet was dead.
Read more…'Carmen', with its infectious Spanish rhythms and memorable arias, was soon acclaimed a hit. Its tale of the sultry gypsy who bewitches Don José and toreador Escamillo was based on Prosper Mérimée's spicy novella. After Bizet's death, 'Carmen' flourished, but his earlier operas sank into oblivion. 'The Pearl Fishers' has survived, principally because of its wonderful duet, made famous in a 1952 recording by Jussi Björling and Robert Merrill which opens this playlist. Bizet knew he was onto a good thing with this duet – its theme recurs throughout the opera – but there are also some wonderful arias.
Away from the opera house, Bizet wrote attractive orchestral music. His sparkling Symphony in C was a student work, while 'Jeux d’enfants' (Children's Games) is a charming suite. His incidental music to Alphonse Daudet's play 'L'Arlésienne' propels the listener to Provence; its earthy Farandole is a guaranteed ear-worm.