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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.

1 hour

Last on

Mon 12 Mar 2012 18:30

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Music Played

  • 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.
  • Georges Bizet

    La Chasse Fantastique

    Performer: Per SETRAK - Piano

    • Chant du Monde.
    • LCD27877677.
  • Georges Bizet

    Feuilles d'album

    Performer: Ann MURRAY - Mezzo-soprano Performer: Graham JOHNSON - Piano

    • Hyperion.
    • CDA66976.
  • Georges Bizet

    Symphony in C major

    Conductor: Bernard HAITINK Performer: Amsterdam Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

    • PHILIPS.
    • 416-437-2.
  • 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 2012 12:00
  • Mon 12 Mar 2012 18:30

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