Carmen (Overture Opera Guides)

Carmen is one of the most enduringly popular of all operas and the most successful of Georges Bizet’s works. Following its premiere at the Opéra- Comique in Paris in 1875, it went on to be performed at all the major opera houses in the world. With its searing depictions of passion, obsession and jealousy, it has never lost its hold on the opera-going public.

This guide has articles which describe the genesis of the opera, its initial failure at its premiere and the various versions in which it went on to conquer the opera stages of Europe and the USA. There are also articles which analyse its appeal, which explore its music and which detail its extensive performance history. The guide has sixteen pages of illustrations, a musical thematic guide, the full libretto and English translation (in both the dialogue and recitative versions), a discography, bibliography, DVD and website guides.