Product Description

One of the earliest exponents of the short story, Prosper Merimee wrote the universally-acclaimed tale Carmen, which provided the basis for one of the world's most popular operas. In addition to this classic tale, the collection includes "Colomba," "Mateo Falcone," "The Storming of the Redoubt," "Tamango," "The Etruscan Vase," "The Game of Backgammon," "The Venus of Ille" and "Lokis."

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #558142 in Books
• Published on: 1999-04-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

Amazon.com Review
The critics at the premiere loathed it. Audiences have always loved it. Members of the chorus don't like it any better than the original critics, but for very different reasons. Carmen is a long and difficult outing for the chorus, and critics have bashed it for its tabloid-trash elements, but audiences love the drama and the music. It's too bad that Georges Bizet died so soon after it premiered, because it would have been interesting to watch his musical development; he improved greatly from his first opera, La Jolie fille de Perth (The Fair Maid of Perth), to his second, Les Pecheurs de Perles (The Pearl Fishers), and again to Carmen. The arias, ensembles, and choruses here are almost all first-rate, with only occasional minor descents into the typically French and fluffy moments that so mar his earlier works; this full orchestral score from Dover shows Bizet's accomplishment in its entirety. The usual caveats apply: this is a reprint of an out-of-copyright score from another publisher, so it's not going to be up-to-date in terms of modern performance practice. As a full score, it won't be as handy for singers learning the music--a piano score is generally more useful for that purpose--but it's a tremendous bargain for those who want to get a handle on this very popular opera.

Review
Novella about Spanish Gypsy life by French author Prosper Merimee, first published serially in 1845. Georges Bizet's opera Carmen is based on the story. As a hot-blooded young corporal in the Spanish cavalry stationed near Seville, Don Jose is ordered to arrest Carmen, a young, flirtatious Gypsy woman, for assaulting a co-worker. Greatly charmed by her, Jose allows her to escape. He deserts the army, kills two men on Carmen's account, and takes up a life as a robber and smuggler. He is insanely jealous of Carmen, who is unfaithful to him, and when she refuses to change on his behalf, he kills her and surrenders himself to the authorities. -- The Merriam-Webster Encylopedia of Literature

Review
'there is no doubt that the French-born Merimee was one of the earlier masters of the short story' Cape Times

'A very good edition and a solid translation.' Dr Lance Butler, University of Stirling

Customer Reviews

This listing features the wrong photo and title.
As one helpful reviewer noted, this listing is Merimee's collection, NOT the National Opera Guide to Bizet's Carme, which is the title and front cover featured here by Amazon! I hope someone running the Amazon site clears this up soon!

The Greatet Carmen Of Them All
Carmen is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable operas in the world. There have been many fine recordings in the 20th century and even in the 19th century. Maria Callas (considered by many to be the greatest soprano ever sang the role), Teresa Berganza has sang the role, Tatiana Troyanos, Jessie Norman and various other sopranos who are drawn to the terrific role. Georges Bizet is remembered for this masterpiece, which he intended to be an opera-comique. It was not meant to be a comedy, for the intensity of the fatal tragedy of Prosper Merimee's short novel is superbly captured. Rather, it was meant to be taken as a form of drama, with spoken dialogue, song and dance, and no recitatives. Today, the leading opera houses accomodate this original intended version but many still keep the recitatives that later revisers added, making Carmen more in lines with Italian grand opera. Nevertheless, this fine recording is the best and the original Carmen. Grace Bumbry (mezzo-soprano), whose debut as Venus in the Salzburg Festival presentation of Wagner's Tannhauser made headlines, is the ultimate Carmen. Her voice is rich, dark, powerful, lyric and intense. She is Carmen, and I can think of no other singer who can better fit the role. John Vickers sings Don Jose with passion, elegance and intense emotions, although many will argue that Placido Domingo sings the role better. Vickers still pulls a superb performance. Kostas Paskalis, a Greek baritone, is a terrific bullfighter Escamillo. The conductor Raphael Burgos is wondrous in his orchestration of the score, intense in the fatalism of the fate theme, the dynamic overture, the tender moments between Don Jose and Micaela (Mirella Freni who does a passable performance). the choruses, and the Gypsy/Spanish folk melodies, among them Habanera and Seguidilla. This is a must have for avid Carmen lovers. The story will stay with us always. A seductive Gypsy in 19th century Spain seduces a gentleman soldier Don Jose, engaged to marry the good-hearted Micaela, but he abandons her, his regiment, and follows Carmen and her merry band of smugglers. Soon, Carmen tires of Don Jose and sets her eyes on the dashing bullfighter champion, Escamillo. At the bullfight, Carmen and Don Jose confront for a final scene, in which, against the background of the bullfight and a swirling score, Carmen declares her independence and tells Don Jose she wants nothing with him. The obscessed and mad Don Jose stabs her, appropriately enough when the bull in the arena is slaughtered. The opera comes to an end and we the audience are left with the first verisimo and realistic opera of intense tragedy, loving the music and worshipping the grandeur of the whole thing. Five Stars For this Black Dog Opera Library Recording. Also to be recommended in the series are La Boheme, Aida, The Flying Dutchman, The Magic Flute and La Traviata.

Terrific Package and a Bargain
The Black Dog Opera Library series are beautifully packaged and way underpriced. They each contain 2 CDs of the complete opera in the inside covers of a compact hardcover book whcih contains photos and commentary, as well as an annotated libretto in the original language and English translation, referenced to the CD, and notes and photos of the main performers and conductor. The performances are usually classic ones and though not necessarily recorded in the digital age they all sound gorgeous. I have only been able to find 4 (Magic Flute, Aida, La Boheme, and Carmen) and wish there were more. The only flaws in my opinion are that there is no information regarding the date or location of the performances nor is there a complete cast listing. This Carmen features legendary opera star Grace Bumbry in the title role