Bizet's opera Carmen was first produced at the Opera-Comique in Paris in 1875. The French genre of opera-comique had arisen in the eighteenth century as a Gallic counterpart of the Italian opera buff, injecting an air of contemporary realism into operatic form. The success of operetta in the nineteenth century offered a challenge to the form, which retained the characteristic of the German Singspiel, spoken dialogue taking the place of the recitative of opera serial or French grand opera, but increasingly lacked power or conviction. Carmen, in it's original version with spoken dialogue, derived largely from Prosper MÃ©rimÃ©e's novel on which the opera was based. Created something of a scandal, and opened the way to a new form of opera. While nineteenth century French audiences at the Opera-Comique might find in Micaela a recognizable character, Carmen, a vicious outcast from decent society, was not the ideal heroine for popular family entertainment.

Tracklist:

Prelude
La cloche a sonnee
Habanera
Seguidilla & Duet
Entr'acte
Votre toast, je peux voux le rendre
La fleur que tu m'avais jetee
Entr'acte
Ecoute, ecoute, compagnon
Quant au douanier, c'est notre affaire!
Je dis que rien m'epouvante
Entr'acte
Les voici! les voici!

UPC: 730099572729
Label: Naxos
Release Date: 1.28.94
Format: CD

Alan Titus - Carmen (Highlights)