Georges Bizet
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Georges Bizet, a French composer of the Romantic era
Georges Bizet (1838-75) is was a French composer who is mostly known for his opera, Carmen, which is one of the most famous operas ever written.
Bizet was born in Paris, France, in 1838.
He studied at the Paris Conservatory of Music from the age of nine.
In 1857 he won the famous music composition scholarship, the Prix de Rome, and spent three years in Rome.
Returning to France, he composed the opera, Les Pecheurs de perles (The Pearl Fishers) in 1863.
In 1867 he wrote La jolie fille de Perth (The Pretty Girl of Perth) (1867),and the piano work, Jeux d'enfants (Children's Games).
Next came L'Arlesienne and Djamileh, and in 1875 he wrote his masterpiece, the opera, Carmen, which was in time to become possibly the world's most popular opera.
Carmen actually was not immediately popular (though well received by great musicians such as Debussy, Saint-Saens and Tchaikovsky).
Sadly, Bizet did not live to see Carmen's success as he suddenly died in 1875 at the age of just 36.
Bizet was born in Paris, France, in 1838.
He studied at the Paris Conservatory of Music from the age of nine.
In 1857 he won the famous music composition scholarship, the Prix de Rome, and spent three years in Rome.
Returning to France, he composed the opera, Les Pecheurs de perles (The Pearl Fishers) in 1863.
In 1867 he wrote La jolie fille de Perth (The Pretty Girl of Perth) (1867),and the piano work, Jeux d'enfants (Children's Games).
Next came L'Arlesienne and Djamileh, and in 1875 he wrote his masterpiece, the opera, Carmen, which was in time to become possibly the world's most popular opera.
Carmen actually was not immediately popular (though well received by great musicians such as Debussy, Saint-Saens and Tchaikovsky).
Sadly, Bizet did not live to see Carmen's success as he suddenly died in 1875 at the age of just 36.
"Habanera" (Love is a Rebellious Bird) from George Bizet's opera, Carmen
Sung by Angela Gheorghiu
curated content from YouTube
Musical Inspiration
"As a musician I tell you that if you were to suppress adultery, fanaticism, crime, evil, the supernatural, there would no longer be the means for writing one note."
-- Georges Bizet
Carmen (drawing by Gustave Dore)
Key Facts about Bizet's Opera, Carmen
First performance: Paris, 1875.
Opera set in: Spain.
Number of acts: 4.
Principal Characters: Carmen, Escamillo, Jose.
Important Arias, etc.: Habanera; Torreador Song; Io Dico No.
Opera set in: Spain.
Number of acts: 4.
Principal Characters: Carmen, Escamillo, Jose.
Important Arias, etc.: Habanera; Torreador Song; Io Dico No.
Georges Bizet: His Life And Works
Georges Bizet: His Life And Works
Amazon Price: $30.16 (as of 05/29/2012)
Old but quite interesting work on Bizet.
Not a Great Career Move
"What a beautiful art, but what a wretched profession."
-- Georges Bizet
Program Notes on Famous Georges Bizet Works
- Suite No. 1, "L'Arlésienne" (Georges Bizet)
- The suite "L'Arlésienne" is one of the two which Bizet arranged as incidental music to Daudet's play of the same name. It is written in four movements : 1, Allegro deciso; 2, Minuet, Allegro giocoso; 3, Adagietto; 4, Carillon - Allegro moderato.
CLICK ON ABOVE LINK TO READ FULL NOTES ON THIS WORK - Dramatic Overture, "Patrie". Op. 19 (Georges Bizet)
- The Dramatic Overture, "Patrie," dedicated to Massenet, was written as a prelude to Sardou's drama of the same name, produced in 1872. As its name suggests, it is an appeal to the martial spirit of the country.
CLICK ON ABOVE LINK TO READ FULL NOTES ON THIS WORK - Little Suite, "Children's Games" (Jeux d'enfants). Op. 22 (Georges Bizet)
- The "Little Suite" ("Jeux d'Enfants") is a slight and dainty composition in five movements which has achieved great popularity in spite of its miniature nature. It was first performed in 1880, after the composer's death.
CLICK ON ABOVE LINK TO READ FULL NOTES ON THIS WORK
Death Scene from Bizet's Carmen
Bizet Music on CD
Bizet on the Web
- L'Encyclopiedie de L'Agora: Georges Bizet
- Biographies, interpretations, etc. on Bizet and his works. French language site.
- Essentials of Music: Bizet
- Short biography plus some audio files of his music (RAM format).
- Georges Bizet (The Lied and Art Song Texts Page)
- Original French text and English translations for many of Bizet's songs.
"Je crois entendre encore" (I believe I can still hear) from Bizet's opera, Les pecheurs de perles (The Pearlfishers)
Singer: Placido Domingo
curated content from YouTube
Latest News on Georges Bizet
Show the World You Love Bizet!
Bizet collectibles on eBay
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Tolovaj
Apr 9, 2011 @ 6:53 pm | delete
- It is really hard to find that kind of passion in modern pop music.
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Tolovaj
Apr 9, 2011 @ 5:56 pm | delete
- You really can't find that kind of passion in modern pop music!
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cynch18ify
Feb 25, 2011 @ 6:02 pm | delete
- Habanera is my favorite piece!
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puerdycat
Dec 16, 2010 @ 2:59 pm | delete
- Another great Carmen! . . . I admit Rise Stevens is my favorite
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