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Live from the New York Met, Bizet's operatic depiction of seduction, jealousy, and tragedy, Carmen.

Brought together by the obsession, and misfortune depicted in Prosper M茅rim茅e's novella of the same name, the Met's production of Bizet's famous opera sees Aigul Akhmetshina mezzo-soprano as Carmen, whose irresistible allure drives the soldier Don Jos茅 - sung by tenor Michael Fabiano - to destruction.

Set in and around the Spanish city of Seville, a site by the time that Carmen was written had already served as the locale for operatic intrigues including Rossini鈥檚 Il Barbiere di Siviglia and and Verdi鈥檚 La Forza del Destino, Bizet's musical portrayal of M茅rim茅e's novella expertly echoes the city's colourful processions, bullfights, and the cultural life of its bohemian community. With so many recognizable melodies having permeated modern frames of cultural reference, it's easy to overlook how well the score is constructed, though notable solos include both the baritone鈥檚 famous Toreador Song and the tenor鈥檚 gut-wrenching Flower Song in Act 2, as well as Mica毛la鈥檚 Act 3 aria 'Je dis que rien ne m鈥櫭﹑ouvante'. Punctuating the stages of their fateful relationship, Carmen and Don Jos茅 have also three memorable duets, while massed numbers such as the 'chorus of street urchins', and the 'Bullfighters' Chorus' are employed to dramatic effect by Bizet.

Presented from the Met by Debra Lew Harder and Ira Siff.

Bizet: Carmen

Carmen ..... Aigul Akhmetshina (mezzo-soprano)
Don Jos茅 ..... Michael Fabiano (tenor)
Mica毛la ..... Janai Brugger (soprano)
Escamillo ..... Christian Van Horn (bass-baritone)
Morales ..... Yeongtaek Yang (baritone)
Frasquita ..... Susanne Burgess (soprano)
Mercedes ..... Briana Hunter (mezzo-soprano)
Zuniga ..... Richard Bernstein (bass)
Le Remendado ..... Aaron Blake (tenor)
Le Dancaire ..... Eleomar Cuello (baritone)
Orchestra and Chorus of the Metropolitan Opera, New York
Pier Giorgio Morandi (conductor)