Georges Bizet
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.
"Habanera" from George Bizet's opera, Carmen
Sung by Angela Gheorghiu
Angela GHEORGHIU - Habanera - Carmen - Bizet
Angela Gheorghiu sings the Habanera (L'amour est un oiseaux rebelle) from Bizet's opera 'Carmen' (Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands Silver Jubilee Concert in Amsterdam, April 29th, 2005)
Runtime: 4:27
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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
Key Facts about Bizet's Opera, Carmen
Opera set in: Spain.
Number of acts: 4.
Principal Characters: Carmen, Escamillo, Jose.
Important Arias, etc.: Habanera; Torreador Song; Io Dico No.
Bizet's Carmen (Francesco Rosi film version) - Final scene with Julia Migenes & Placido Domingo
Bizet CARMEN Final scene Migenes Domingo (Rosi Film)
The final scene of Bizet's CARMEN. Starring Julia Migenes and Placido Domingo. Directed by Francesco Rosi.
Runtime: 9:55
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Georges Bizet: His Life And Works
Georges Bizet: His Life And Works
Amazon Price: $32.64 (as of 12/05/2008)
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
Bizet Music on CD
Greatest Hits: Bizet
Amazon Price: $9.98 (as of 12/05/2008)
Bizet: Carmen (Highlights)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/05/2008)
Bizet - Les Pêcheurs de Perles (The Pearl Fishers) / Hendricks, Aler, Quilico, Capitole de Toulouse, Plasson
Amazon Price: $22.97 (as of 12/05/2008)
Latest News on Georges Bizet
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Posted November 08, 2007
