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The Boy from Montmartre

Donald Macleod recounts Bizet's humble origins as the son of a hairdresser and self-appointed singing teacher. Including Le Docteur Miracle (Sc 7); Clovis et Clotilde (Sc 3).

Despite writing what is possibly the best known opera in the world, Alexandre C茅sar Leopold Bizet would seldom enjoy success during his lifetime. (He never even got to use all his given names, but instead was known as 'Georges'!)

A man of multiple love affairs who became devoted to his neurotic wife; a superb pianist who studiously avoided the concert stage; a man for ever associated with Spain, even though he'd never been there - George Bizet is a mass of contradictions. As well as composing what is arguably the world's best known and most popular opera, Bizet also composed some spectacular flops. Always seeking popular as well as critical success, that was the very thing that eluded him during his lifetime. And yet, despite the caustic discouragement of Parisian reviewers, Bizet wrote songs and operas of astonishing beauty, even if the plots and libretti didn't always match the composer's dramatic sense.

Donald Macleod recounts Bizet's humble origins as the son of a hairdresser and self-appointed singing teacher. Entering the Paris Conservatoire, he made rapid progress under Charles Gounod, writing a delightful symphony, and competing for the prestigious Prix de Rome, with the chance to travel to the Eternal City and enjoy the sights and sounds of Italy.

Horowitz
Variations on a Theme from Bizet's opera 'Carmen'
Vladimir Horowitz, piano

Bizet
Symphony in C
Orchestre de Paris
Paavo J盲rvi, conductor

Le Docteur Miracle (Scene 7, Quartet)
Marie-B茅n茅dicte soprano (Souquet), Laurette Isabelle Druet mezzo (Veronique), J茅r么me Billy baritone (Pasquin) and Pierre-Yves Pruvot baritone (Le Padestat)
Orchestre Lyrique de Region Avignon Provence
Samuel Jean, conductor

Clovis et Clotilde
Scene 3 - Pri猫re
Katarina Jovanovic soprano (Clotilde)
Choeur Regional Nord-Pas-de-Calais
Jean-Claude Casadesus, conductor.

1 hour

Last on

Mon 12 Jun 2017 18:30

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Music Played

  • Arcadi Volodos

    Carmen Variations

    Performer: Vladimir Horowitz.
    • Naxos:8110696.
    • Naxos.
    • 4.
  • Georges Bizet

    Symphony in C major

    Orchestra: Orchestre de Paris 鈥 Philharmonie. Conductor: Paavo J盲rvi.
    • Virgin: 50999626813.
    • Virgin.
    • 3.
  • Georges Bizet

    Le Docteur Miracle - no.6; Quartetto

    Orchestra: Avignon-Provence Regional Orchestra. Conductor: Samuel Jean.
    • Timpani : 1C1204.
    • Timpani.
    • 1.
  • Georges Bizet

    Clovis et Clotilde - cantata

    Orchestra: Lille National Orchestra. Conductor: Jean鈥怌laude Casadesus. Singer: Katarina Juvan膷i膷. Singer: Philippe Do. Singer: Mark Schnaible.
    • NAXOS : 8.572270.
    • NAXOS.
    • 11.

Broadcasts

  • Mon 12 Jun 2017 12:00
  • Mon 12 Jun 2017 18:30

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