Incomparable Bizet's Carmen: Act I

If I were allowed to see one opera only, I would choose Bizet's Carmen, no doubt about it. And I am not alone. After seeing it twenty times, Friedrich Nietzsche proclaimed it one of the greatest opera masterpieces. Upon seeing it in Russia, Tchaikovsky predicted that in ten years it would be the world’s most popular opera, and it is still so nearly a century and half later. Johannes Brahms, was reportedly “irresistibly attracted to it.”

Maurice Ravel (French composer) found three things in music “paragons of perfection”: the lyrical elegance of Franz Schubert, the Violin Concerto of Mendelssohn, and Bizet’s Carmen.

Yet Bizet died rather suddenly 3 months after the premiere. In fact, the response to the first performance was so 'cold' that Bizet wandered in the dark streets of Paris wondering what went wrong. Rumor had it that Bizet died of “broken heart”, although he had been known to have chronic throat problem. Some speculate some sort of embolism.

A good beginning is half success. Let's enjoy Act I first

Habanera

Elina Garanca as Carmen

The first aria Carmen (a gypsy cigarette worker) sings is Habanera or “ L'amour est un oiseau rebelle” (many of the arias have no special name, they are simply known by the beginning lyric), telling that love is free, follows no rules. And indeed loving Carmen is a dangerous thing. Elina Garanca sings Carmen in the production we saw. She is a Russian (now Latvian, so unlike Anna Netrebko, she is not sanctioned by America and EU) mezo-soprano. The leading role is usually soprano, Carmen is exception, mezo-soprano.

Carmen: "L'amour est un oiseau rebelle" or Habanera (Elina Garanca), accompanied by chorus.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2snTkaD64U

Montserrat Cabelle

This is the best Hebanera in my view, sung by Montserrat Cabelle in 2009, she has since passed away. Elina Garanca sings it seductively, that reflects the character of Carmen. This aria doesn't call for flirting or seduction

寸步難行，要兩個人扶著走出場，(She can hardly walks, requiring two people helping to walk)但一開始唱 (but once the singing begins everything comes alive, 生龍活虎，中氣十足.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CaJ2hi-BN-k

Agnes Baltsa as Carmen

Another 2 youtubes by Agnes Baltsa and Maria Callas, aria like this is worth your while to listen/watch a few morees Baltsa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px36njyCnVM

Maria Callas as Carmen

The immortal Maria Callas Live: Bizet's Carmen Habanera, Hamburg 1962

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EseMHr6VEM0

Carmen got involved in the fighting with a cigarette co-worker, got arrested, and was put under custody of a soldier, Don Jose. At this time Carmen sings Seguedille seductively trying to have Jose set her free and she succeeded.

Séguédille

Vivacious Elina Garanca

Carmen: Seguedille or "Près des remparts de Séville" (by Elina Garanca) 2009, French and English caption

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHjnVz7Ayyw

Jose Carreras

The following is from a 1988 Metropolitan Opera production, at which time José Carreras (one of the 3 tenors) just recovered from leukemia and Agnes Baltsa.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtgL-yM9u9Y

There are a variety of reasons why Carmen is so popular: many good arias, duets and choruses, as well as good story, There is a female supporting role, Micaela, who is Jose's childhood playmate in the village and who is in love with Jose. Jose's mother sent her to the city (Seville) to see her son.

The role of Micaela is created to contrast Carmen.

Carmen:
city girl, attractive & vivacious, flirty & seductive, crafty, unfaithful

Micaela:
country girl, simplistically beautiful, not flirty, shy & reserved, sincere, faithful

Duet of Micaela & Don José- "Parle-moi de ma mère"- English caption), Barbara Frittoli sings Micaela.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gST1mPN-A8

highlight of duet, 54 seconds only.
Carmen: Act 1 Duet (Don José, Micaëla) 0:54
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AP9mc9VJQIs