Book/Printed Material Carmen. Opera in Four Acts, Based on the Short Story by Prosper Mérimée. Carmen. Opéra-comique en quatre actes, tiré de la nouvelle de Prosper Mérimée
About this Item
Title
- Carmen. Opera in Four Acts, Based on the Short Story by Prosper Mérimée.
Other Title
- Carmen. Opéra-comique en quatre actes, tiré de la nouvelle de Prosper Mérimée
Summary
- Although Carmen is today one of the world's most popular operas, it opened at the Paris Comic Opera on March 3, 1875, to a mixed reception, much to the disappointment of its composer, Georges Bizet (1838-75). Bizet was one of the leaders of a new generation of French composers, and Carmen was the pinnacle of his career. The libretto, adapted from Prosper Mérimée's short story by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, seemed scandalous to many who attended the opera. Célestine Galli-Marié (1840-1906), who played the role of Carmen, put on a racy performance that seduced some but outraged others in the audience. Bizet, who reportedly composed the tune to "Love is a Rebellious Bird" with the rhythm of the habanera and the image of Carmen's hips (as described by Mérimée) in mind, vigorously defended the role and Galli-Marié's performance.
Names
- Bizet, Georges, 1838-1875 Composer.
- Halévy, Ludovic, 1834-1908 Librettist.
- Meilhac, Henri, 1831-1897 Librettist.
- Mérimée, Prosper, 1803-1870 Contributor.
Created / Published
- [place of publication not identified] : [publisher not identified], 1872.
Headings
- - France
- - France--Île-de-France--Paris
- - 1872
- - Musical scores
- - Operas
Notes
- - Title devised, in English, by Library staff.
- - Original resource extent: Autograph manuscript, 35 x 27.5 centimeters.
- - Original resource at: National Library of France.
- - Content in French.
- - Description based on data extracted from World Digital Library, which may be extracted from partner institutions.
Medium
- 1 online resource.
Digital Id
Library of Congress Control Number
- 2021667568
Online Format
- compressed data
- image