Product description

Bizet: Carmen

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Average customer rating: 4.5

Binding : Audio CD
EAN : 0028947753421
Label : Universal Classics
Manufacturer : Universal Classics
Publisher : Universal Classics
Release date : 2005-03-07
Title : Bizet: Carmen
Format : Box set
Running time : 157
Studio : Universal Classics
MPN : 000402902
Number of discs : 2

Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
This is a super performance, slightly outside the common mould. In 1977, when this was recorded, Claudio Abbado was a great opera conductor, filled with sharp insights and a nice sense of the architecture of whole operas. He always seemed to know where he was going, and his ability to build to climaxes was second to none. Abbado has a rather elegant Carmen here in the smallish-voiced, introspective Teresa Berganza, a gorgeous singer who patently refuses to force her voice or her character into vulgarity. It's a fine reading. Placido Domingo is at his best in both intimate and maniacal moments, and Ileana Cotrubas's Micaela almost makes us care about this sappy little gal. Sherrill Milnes's Escamillo has plenty of swagger and voice. Berganza's subtlety combined with the wild passions of those around her make this a very good Carmen indeed. --Robert Levine

Customer reviews

review by: date: 2008-09-15 rating:

Sound quality?
Not too impressed with the quality of the recording... I was really hoping for something MUCH better than that. If someone could recommended a brilliant audio recording of Carmen that would be just fantastic. This one lets me down I think. The singing is "top-drawer" though.

review by: allykatharvey date: 2007-08-06 rating:

Great performances all round!
I have the highlights of this on casette and cannot find a more satisfying version of "Carmen".

It was exceptionally well cast. Domingo (Don Jose) and Milnes (Escamillo)are both fabulously in full voice and Ileana Cotrubas the most moving Micaela I have ever heard. The greatest applause though must go to Teresa Berganza who really sings the title role to perfection with hot-blooded Spanish passion but also a confidence which commands our respect and sympathy, retaining musicality in every last note.

I really do hope that Deutsche Gramaphon will re-release this because it well deserves another opportunity.

review by: date: 2004-08-26 rating:

The best Carmen!
Berganza and Domingo are superb in this reading, as Carmen and Don Jose this couple have not been equalled. Berganza has a very special voice, some people believe Callas' Carmen to be the best characterised but Berganza has a more brilliant tone and is very very spanish sounding. Domingo is magical as Don Jose, he is perhaps the very finest tenor of his generation in this repertoire and he sings with considerable style and fluency.
Milnes and Cotrubas are very special also.
Abbado really gets to the soul of Bizet's music with the LSO and the pre digital sound is warm and clear. A perfect set.

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