大象传媒

Bizet returns to Paris determined to conquer the city鈥檚 opera houses. Plus, in Act 2 of Carmen, our heroine seems to be falling for Jos茅, but several others are competing for her attention. With Donald Macleod.

Georges Bizet鈥檚 story ought to have been a very straightforward one. It was clear to everyone who met him just how brilliantly and excitingly talented he was. He was also fortunate to live and work in Paris, a city laden with musical opportunities in the mid-19th century. This week, Donald Macleod shows how Bizet鈥檚 life proved more challenging and event-filled than anyone might have expected 鈥� and that success can never be guaranteed!

Throughout the week, Donald also guides us through Bizet鈥檚 most celebrated work, Carmen 鈥� an opera famous for its Spanish heat, fractured passions and fabulous tunes.

Today, Bizet realises that, if he鈥檚 going to make it as an opera composer, he鈥檒l need to win the approval of Paris鈥檚 powerful theatre impresarios. He produces what鈥檚 become one of his most beloved melodies, his Pearl Fishers duet, but will it impress the right people? Plus, we reach Act 2 of Carmen and meet the flamboyant bullfighter, Escamillo, who introduces himself with the famous Toreador鈥檚 chorus.

Les P锚cheurs de Perles: Pr茅lude & Chorus 鈥淪ur la gr猫ve en feu o霉 dort le flot bleu鈥�
Les Cris de Paris
Orchestre National de Lille conducted by Alexandre Bloch

Vasco da Gama: Aria, 鈥淥uvre ton Coeur鈥�
Olga Peretyatko (soprano)
NDR Sinfonieorchester, conducted by Enrique Mazzola

Les P锚cheurs de Perles: Duet,鈥淎u fond du temple saint鈥�
Cyrille Dubois, tenor (Nadir)
Florian Sempey, baritone (Zurga)
Orchestre National de Lille conducted by Alexandre Bloch

Carmen (excerpts from Act 2)
Angela Gheorghiu, soprano (Carmen)
Roberto Alagna, tenor (Don Jos茅),
Thomas Hampson, bass-baritone (Escamillo)
Elizabeth Vidal, soprano (Frasquita)
Isabelle Cals, soprano (Merc茅d猫s)
Nicolas Cavallier, bass-baritone (Zuniga)
Ludovic T茅zier, baritone (Moral猫s)
Nicolas Rivenq, baritone (Le Danca茂re)
Yann Beuron, tenor (Le Remendado)
Choeur 'Les 脡l茅ments'
Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse, conducted by Michel Plasson