At its first performance, Georges Bizet's (1838-1875) Carmen was dismissed by the critics; 'What truth, but what scandal!' Based on a libretto by Meilhac and Halévy after a novella by Mérimée, the story moved far away from the traditional opéra-comique subject matter to which audiences of the time were used. However, Bizet's extraordinary, passionate score (incorporating the anti-heroine Carmen, fighting female factory workers, corrupt soldiers and a murder) had, within three months of the composer's death, become recognised as one of the greatest operas of all time. Glyndebourne first performed Carmen in 1985.
'Every member of the ensemble enlivens the on-stage community. The excitement - and there's plenty of it - comes from their collective energy.'
The Independent
'McVicar has given Glyndebourne a really successful new production... beg, borrow, steal or kill for a ticket.'
The Telegraph
The performance lasts approximately 3 hours 30 minutes including a 20 minute interval.
Synopsis
Detailed plot outline of Georges Bizet's finest work.
Edition Details
Orchestration and additional details for this production of Carmen.
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