Performance

Bizet once wrote that if there were no adultery, fanaticism, crime, evil, and supernatural powers in the world, composers would have nothing to write about in their operas. However, this doesn't change the fact that CARMEN – a tale of sexual obsession and inevitable murder driven by love – initially shocked Parisian audiences, unaccustomed to such a bold combination of comedic and tragic elements. The controversial subject matter and the then-unacceptable blending of comedic and tragic elements contributed to a very cold reception of the opera during its Paris premiere. Today, listening to one of the most beautiful operas in the history of music, it is very difficult to believe.

 

The combination of Bizet's extraordinary, vibrant music and the high-quality libretto resulted in a work that is brilliant in every respect. The composer created a piece full of tension, captivating with its exotic portrayal of a mysterious yet not so distant country – Spain, which was nevertheless somewhat exotic to the French.