Music CD - Georges Bizet, Maria Callas, Nicolai Gedda, Georges Prêtre, Orchestre de Théâtre National de l'Opéra de Paris, Choeurs René Duclos, Robert Massard, Jane Berbié, Andrea Guiot, Claude Cales: Bizet: Carmen (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Nicolai Gedda, Georges Pretre, Paris Opera Orchestra

	Music CD: Bizet: Carmen (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Nicolai Gedda, Georges Pretre, Paris Opera Orchestra Artist: Georges Bizet, Maria Callas, Nicolai Gedda, Georges Prêtre, Orchestre de Théâtre National de l'Opéra de Paris, Choeurs René Duclos, Robert Massard, Jane Berbié, Andrea Guiot, Claude Cales List Price: $32.98 Our Price: $19.97 Your Save: $ 13.01 ( 39% ) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Manufacturer: EMI Classics
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Tracks: 1. Carmen: Prelude - (Orchestre) 2. Carmen: Act One: Sur la place - (Choeur/Morales/Micaela) 3. Carmen: Act One: Avec la garde montante - (Choeur d'enfants/Morales/Jose) 4. Carmen: Act One: C'est bien la, n'est-ce pas 5. Carmen: Act One: La cloche a sonne... Dans l'air, nous suivons des yeux la fumee - (Choeur) 6. Carmen: Act One: Quand je vous aimerai ?... L'amour este un oiseau rebelle - (Carmen/Choeur) 7. Carmen: Act One: Carmen ! sur tes pas, nous nous pressions tous ! - (Choeur/Carmen/Jose) 8. Carmen: Act One: Quels regards ! Quelle effrontere ! 9. Carmen: Act One: Parle-moi de ma mere ! 10. Carmen: Act One: Reste la, maintenant, pendant que je lirai - (Jose/Micaela) 11. Carmen: Act One: Que se passe-t-il donc la-bas?...Au secours! Au secours! - (Zuniga/Choeur) 12. Carmen: Act One: Mon officer, c'etait une querelle - (Jose/Zuniga/Carmen) 13. Carmen: Act One: Pres des remparts de Seville - (Carmen/Jose) 14. Carmen: Act One: Voico l'ordre; partez - (Zuniga/Carmen) 15. Carmen: Entr'acte - (Orchestre) 16. Carmen: Act Two: Les tringles des sistres tintaient - (Carmen) 17. Carmen: Act Two: Messieurs, Pastia me dit - (Frasquita/Zuniga/Carmen/Mercedes) 18. Carmen: Act Two: Vivat ! vivat ! le Torero ! - (Choeur/Zuniga) 19. Carmen: Act Two: Votre toast, je peux vous le rendre -(Escamillo/Choeur) 20. Carmen: Act Two: La belle, un mot - (Escamillo/Carmen/Zuniga) 21. Carmen: Act Two: Eh bien ! vite, Quelles nouvelles ?.. Nous avons en tete une affaire - (Frasquita/Le Dancaire/Mercedes/Le Remendado/Carmen)
Binding: Audio CD EAN: 0724355628121 Label: EMI Classics Manufacturer: EMI Classics Number Of Discs: 2 Publisher: EMI Classics Release Date: 1997-08-19 Studio: EMI Classics
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Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: Callas is fabuous Comment: I bought this on recommendation of a friend as I prepared to sing Carmen in a chorus, so I have listened to it perhaps 20 times. I never get tired of Callas. Some of the other reviewers said she was past her prime. Maybe that's true for pure vocal quality, but her feel for the role is outstanding and, though this is just audio, you can see her sneer, watch her flirt, and chuckle with her intonation. The chorus isn't great, but mine will be better. Customer Rating: Summary: Maria Callas Carmen CD Comment: I am 100% pleased with this product. The shipment was fast, and the product was exactly what I had hoped for. I would give this vendor the highest possible rating and my strongest recommendation. Customer Rating: Summary: K.Teezy Comment: Received the product in a very timely manner....I've enjoyed listening to the CD on the way into work. It helps me relax. Customer Rating: Summary: Bizet: Carmen (Callas, Gedda, et al) Comment: Of the many recordings of Carmen that I've owned, this is the best. Callas has the perfect voice for it. Customer Rating: Summary: Imperfect? Maybe. Worthwhile? Yes! Comment: Maria Callas' CARMEN has had at best, a checkered history. It seems to have found a permanent home in many record collections over the years, considering it has been released as an LP, cassette, and now CD, so it's loved by many if not by all the critics. It had some foes before it was released. Callas had never performed CARMEN on stage and in 1964 when the set was first issued, it was believed that a recording should only showcase an artist's best work after years of perfection. Since Maria Callas was Maria Callas, Angel records took a chance and released it, knowing she'd probably never attempt the role on stage. As soon as it was released, there was a noticeable decline in her vocal abilities, which caught many fans off guard. Still, it's stood the test of time. Maria Callas at her not so great is still better than some at their peak, and even if the voice isn't perfect, it still has an expressive quality to it that's evident to anyone who listens to it. Maria Callas' performance for this set is interesting. One of the greatest strengths of her singing was her ability to portray a character through her voice and this may be why this set has a loyal following. We feel as if we are encountering the fiery, sensual woman that is Carmen in just about every note that Callas sings. It's hard not to forgive what some critics called an imperfect vocal performance when there is such a passion behind the singing. In the end, we have one of the most original interpretations of the role. Callas is joined by tenor Nicolai Gedda. Technically Gedda's performance cannot be faulted. He hits the notes and sings with ease. For Don Jose, this may not be enough, however. We want Jose to darken vocally as the opera progresses, and this does not happen. Gedda's strength is his beautiful voice that has suited him well in a great array of operas, but it doesn't have the robust quality that tenors such as Domingo or Corelli can bring to the role. For some of the opera's more tender moments, most notably the Don Jose/ Micaela duet in Act I "Parle-moi De Ma Mere," Gedda's light and lyrical voice is a perfect fit. I find the duet astounding and it could arguably be the best rendition of this work, which is due in no small part also to the beautiful voice of Andrea Guiot, who likewise gives a great solo performance in her aria "Je Dis, que rien ne `epouvante". Robert Messard as Escamillo does the job, but lacks the bravado of the confident lady-killer bullfighter he supposed to be. The orchestra and chorus under the direction of Georges Pretre perform beautifully and the smaller roles are all well cast. With an opera such as CARMEN, where so many great singers have performed and recorded major roles, there is stiff competition between sets. It also seems as if there isn't one perfect set. Some great Carmens have been paired with lousy casts, and some lousy Carmens have great casts. This set isn't perfect, but overall it has a certain flow to it and for me, it feels like a CARMEN should feel. More Reviews
Editorial Reviews: This recording was made near the end of Maria Callas's career. It is a role she never sang onstage, but it suited her almost perfectly, and she gives a deep, compelling performance on this recording. The mezzo-soprano tessitura was comfortable for her voice, and the role did not call for a pretty sound. Nor did the recording studio require the kind of huge vocal power expected in an opera house. And furthermore, the character of a strong-willed, capricious, sexually compelling woman who thinks exclusively of herself was close to the offstage personality that made Callas so famous. --Joe McLellan