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Bizet finally has a hit on his hands, but tragedy lies just around the corner. Plus, we reach Carmen’s shocking finale. Presented by Donald Macleod.

Georges Bizet’s 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’s life proved more challenging and event-filled than anyone might have expected – and that success can never be guaranteed!

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

Today we reach the dramatic climax of Bizet’s opera, Carmen. Our free-spirited heroine has abandoned her lover to pursue another, but Don José can’t bear to let her go. Events quickly spiral towards catastrophe. Plus, we see how fate intervenes in Bizet’s own life and ordains that Carmen will be his final work.

Djamileh: Overture
Munich Radio Orchestra, conducted by Lamberto Gardelli

L'Arlesienne Suite No. 1: I. Prelude & II. Minuetto
Musiciens du Louvre, Grenoble Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Marc Minkowski

Patrie Overture
Orchestre National de France, conducted by Seiji Ozawa

Carmen (Act 4)
Angela Gheorghiu, soprano (Carmen)
Roberto Alagna, tenor (Don José),
Thomas Hampson, bass-baritone (Escamillo)
Elizabeth Vidal, soprano (Frasquita)
Isabelle Cals, soprano (Mercédès)
Nicolas Cavallier, bass-baritone (Zuniga)
La Lauzeta, Choeur d'enfants de Toulouse
Choeur 'Les Éléments'
Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse, conducted by Michel Plasson

Produced by Chris Taylor