Description
When Tchaikovsky first encountered Carmen, he fervently predicted that it would emerge as the most beloved opera globally. Wagner also held this dramatic work in high regard, while Brahms claimed to have attended its performances 29 times. However, at its debut in Paris in 1873, Carmen failed to resonate with both the public and critics, even inciting a scandal. Nevertheless, as Tchaikovsky anticipated, it eventually became a cherished opera among audiences around the world. Over the course of more than a century, Carmen has maintained its status as one of the most frequently performed and recorded operas in the repertoire.
Originally conceived and composed as an opéra comique, a genre that it ultimately transformed, Carmen was adapted into a grand opera following Bizet's untimely death, with recitatives added by Ernest Guiraud. This meticulously produced full-score edition reflects this grand-opera adaptation, which is the version most commonly staged today.
Initially, Bizet's audience and critics, accustomed to the light-hearted and sentimental themes of opèra comique, were appalled by the provocative plot and characters of Carmen. Critics deemed its narrative, characterized by themes of sexual passion and jealousy, too "obscene" for theatrical presentation, even calling for legal action against the mezzo-soprano portraying Carmen, while dismissing the music as unoriginal and lacking in drama. Fortunately, this initial outrage eventually faded, leading to further productions, and the world came to embrace this monumental music drama, with its vivid characters and the tragic consequences of their uncontrollable passions.
Musicians and enthusiasts will discover in this affordable yet high-quality edition an excellent means to study and appreciate the distinctive qualities of Carmen, whose central conflict is profoundly conveyed through the rich and dramatic themes and textures of the music itself, rather than solely through the libretto. With this score, they can relish both live and recorded performances of what is arguably the most renowned and cherished opera in existence.
