The Gypsy of Seville and Don Jose

Carmen

Georges Bizet

High Notes

Carmen is the only opera to make the list in which Callas sings a mezzo-soprano role.  Therefore, the climax of Carmen's most famous number, "L'amour est un oiseau rebelle," is only an F sharp on the staff.  Carmen does have two Bs at the end of "Pres des remparts de Seville" and "Les tringles des sistres tintaient," but these notes are thrown up.  The real high note of the opera occurs in Escamillo's famous "Votre toast," where Micaela sings a high C on the V chord before the final I chord in F.  

An opera comique in four acts, 2 & 3/4 hours
Composed from 1873 to 1875
Set to a libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halevy after Prosper Merimee's novella
First performed in Paris, France, Opera Comique, on 3 March 1875.

The cast at the premiere included Celestine Galli-Marie (Carmen), Paul Lherie (Don Jose), Marguarite Chapuy (Micaela), and Jacques Bouhy (Escamillo).

Principle Roles

• Carmen, a rebellious cigarette girl and gypsy.....mezzo-soprano
• Don Jose, a corporal of dragoons..........................tenor
• Micaela, a peasant girl.............................................soprano
• Escamillo, a matador..............................................bass-baritone
• Morales, an officer....................................................baritone
• Zuniga, a lieutenant captain...................................bass

The Story

The opera takes place in Seville during the early nineteenth century. Despite the title, much of the action centers around the character of Don Jose, who allows himself to be seduced by Carmen. Subsequently, he lets fall his duties as corporal and beloved of Micaela. He goes as far as allowing Carmen to escape from custody and joining the smugglers with whom she associates before being driven mad by jealousy. This jealousy is brought about by Carmen's unquestionable favor for Escamillo the matador. In the final act, Carmen accompanies Escamillo to the ring. Don Jose, knowing Carmen would be present, stabs her outside of the arena.

Notable Incipits

• "L'amour est un oiseau rebelle" (Carmen)
• "Pres des remparts de Seville" (Carmen)
• "Les tringles des sistres tintaient" (Carmen)
• "Votre toast, je peux vous le rendre" (Escamill0)
• "La fleur que tu m'avais jetee" (Don Jose)
• "Je dis que rien ne m'epouvante" (Micaela)

Recommended Recordings

• Bumbry (Carmen), Vickers (Don Jose), and Freni (Micaela)
• Callas (Carmen), Gedda (Don Jose), and Guiot (Micaela)

Upcoming Performances

• October/November 2008 - Glyndebourne
• November 2008 - Budapest (Erkel)
• November 2008 - Moscow (Bolshoi)
• November 2008 - Washington, D.C. (Washington Opera)
• November/December 2008 - Los Angeles
• November 2008-July 2009 - Zurich (Oper)
• January 2009 - Munich (Staatsoper)
• January/February 2009 - Vancouver
• February 2009 - Hamburg (Staatsoper)
• February/March 2009 - Vienna (Staatsoper)
• March-July 2009 - Berlin (Deutsch)
• April 2009 - Toulouse (Capitole)
• June 2009 - Paris (Opera Comique)
• July 2009 - Cincinnati