I was a young boy when I first watched and listened to a live performance of this opera. I remember the feeling of excitement and passion that was sung and acted in this story.
Now we have a new recording that tells this story in a somewhat different way.
Bizet: Carmen
Recorded at the Gran Teatre del Liceu, 2011
The singers are Béatrice Uria-Monzon (Carmen), Roberto Alagna (Don José), Erwin Schrott (Escamillo), Marina Poplavskaya (Micaëla)
With the Symphony Orchestra of the Gran Teatre del Liceu, Marc Piollet conducting.
In this production at the Gran Teatre del Liceu, controversial stage director Calixto Bieito sees in Carmen the embodiment of the mythical gypsy and touches upon sensitive issues such as racism, xenophobia and right-wing politics. Bieito conjures up a sensual and realistic atmosphere full of powerful symbolism.
An outstanding quartet of vocal stars, led by a “splendid and sensual” (El Periódico) Béatrice Uria-Monzon in the title role, delivers one of the most exciting Carmens in recent years: Roberto Alagna as Don José, Erwin Schrott as Escamillo and Marina Poplavskya as Micaëla.
SUBTITLES: French (original language), English, German, Spanish, Catalan, Chinese, Korean
