![]() With the aria “L’amour est un oiseau rebelle” Bizet has painted a true character portrait of the role of Carmen. Nothing is more boring for her than ingratiation, because love is a game for her. Synopsis: Synopsis: Carmen appears and is surrounded by men. Since then there exist two versions of the work, which are regularly performed. The success was enormous and from then on the triumphal career of “Carmen” began. After Bizet’s death, a version with recitatives was created for the Vienna premiere of Ernest Guiraud, instead of the spoken dialogues of the Opéra Comique. He no longer experienced the growing enthusiasm for his work. All this weighed on him, and on the night of the thirty-first performance he died of a chronic heart condition. In addition, he had domestic problems, his wife was having an affair with his best friend. Only Tchaikovsky wrote home: “And how wonderful is this opera material! I am convinced that in ten years Carmen will be the most popular opera in the whole world”. The New York Times also wrote a scathing review: “As a work of art, this opera is absolutely void”. One critic wrote about the leading actress: “To see her swinging with her hips like a filly at a stud farm in Cordoba – quelle vérité, mais quel scandale” (Abbate/Parker, “a story of the opera”). It was too much for the conservative audience. ![]() But the longer the work lasted, the frostier the atmosphere in the great hall of the Opéra Comique became. ![]() The first performance took place in March 1875, and the first act was warmly received. Despite the more than a hundred rehearsals, Bizet had to cut some passages to ensure that the first performances were performed in an orderly manner. Bizet expected scenic presence from the choir, but he complained that the choir singers were not used to much more than singing and standing around. The story of its creation was not only difficult because of the role of Carmen, there were also major problems with the choir. Travel tip for opera lovers: Visit original sites in Seville (Click for link to TRAVEL-blogpost) Galli-Marié did not make it easy for Bizet, he had to change the entrance aria 13 times for her. The role is very demanding, it requires an erotic charisma, great singing skills, seductive dancing and acting abilities. The choice of the singer was and is crucial for success. In the person of Célestine Galli-Marié a suitable replacement could be found at short notice. ![]() Even the planned leading actress refused to sing the role. When the theater directors realized what a “monster” was approaching them, they tried to change the course of events. It sparked a heated debate in the run-up to the premiere. In short: the exact opposite of what was expected of a woman in the late 19th century. ![]() Moreover, vulgar and rebellious instead of romantic and patient. The personality of this figure was unique at that time: an indomitable woman, erotic, temperamental, and a factory worker to boot. The role of Carmen became decisive for the story of its creation. #CARMEN OPERA FIRST PERFORMANCE PLUS#Unis dès la plus tendre enfance (Iphigenia).Madamina, il catalogo, Catalogue Aria (Don Giovanni).Je dis que rien ne m’epouvante (Carmen).Glück, das mir verblieb (Die tote Stadt).Dies Bildnis ist wunderschön (Zauberflöte).Dein ist mein ganzes Herz (Land des Lächelns). ![]()
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