The Boy from Montmartre
Donald Macleod recounts Bizet's humble origins as the son of a hairdresser and self-appointed singing teacher. Including Le Docteur Miracle (Sc 7); Clovis et Clotilde (Sc 3).
Despite writing what is possibly the best known opera in the world, Alexandre César Leopold Bizet would seldom enjoy success during his lifetime. (He never even got to use all his given names, but instead was known as 'Georges'!)
A man of multiple love affairs who became devoted to his neurotic wife; a superb pianist who studiously avoided the concert stage; a man for ever associated with Spain, even though he'd never been there - George Bizet is a mass of contradictions. As well as composing what is arguably the world's best known and most popular opera, Bizet also composed some spectacular flops. Always seeking popular as well as critical success, that was the very thing that eluded him during his lifetime. And yet, despite the caustic discouragement of Parisian reviewers, Bizet wrote songs and operas of astonishing beauty, even if the plots and libretti didn't always match the composer's dramatic sense.
Donald Macleod recounts Bizet's humble origins as the son of a hairdresser and self-appointed singing teacher. Entering the Paris Conservatoire, he made rapid progress under Charles Gounod, writing a delightful symphony, and competing for the prestigious Prix de Rome, with the chance to travel to the Eternal City and enjoy the sights and sounds of Italy.
Horowitz
Variations on a Theme from Bizet's opera 'Carmen'
Vladimir Horowitz, piano
Bizet
Symphony in C
Orchestre de Paris
Paavo Järvi, conductor
Le Docteur Miracle (Scene 7, Quartet)
Marie-Bénédicte soprano (Souquet), Laurette Isabelle Druet mezzo (Veronique), Jérôme Billy baritone (Pasquin) and Pierre-Yves Pruvot baritone (Le Padestat)
Orchestre Lyrique de Region Avignon Provence
Samuel Jean, conductor
Clovis et Clotilde
Scene 3 - Prière
Katarina Jovanovic soprano (Clotilde)
Choeur Regional Nord-Pas-de-Calais
Jean-Claude Casadesus, conductor.
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Arcadi Volodos
Carmen Variations
Performer: Vladimir Horowitz.- Naxos:8110696.
- Naxos.
- 4.
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Georges Bizet
Symphony in C major
Orchestra: Orchestre de Paris. Conductor: Paavo Järvi.- Virgin: 50999626813.
- Virgin.
- 3.
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Georges Bizet
Le Docteur Miracle - no.6; Quartetto
Orchestra: Avignon-Provence Regional Orchestra. Conductor: Samuel Jean.- Timpani : 1C1204.
- Timpani.
- 1.
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Georges Bizet
Clovis et Clotilde - cantata
Orchestra: Lille National Orchestra. Conductor: Jean‐Claude Casadesus. Singer: Katarina Juvančič. Singer: Philippe Do. Singer: Mark Schnaible.- NAXOS : 8.572270.
- NAXOS.
- 11.
Broadcasts
- Mon 12 Jun 2017 12:00BBC Radio 3
- Mon 12 Jun 2017 18:30BBC Radio 3
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