Tag Archives: George Bizet
Carmen Program Notes
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 7th April 2015The Lubbock Symphony Orchestra will present two concert performances of Carmen – May 1 and 2. Below are the Program Notes I wrote for the occasion. Bizet’s great opera recently had its 1000th performance at New York’s Metropolitan Opera House. Carmen’s popularity is worldwide, yet the work started as a failure. Like The Barber of…
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The Pearl Fishers Duet
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 16th March 2012Bizet’s opera, Les pêcheurs de perles, is gradually creeping into the operatic mainstream. The composer was only 25 when he wrote the work; it was not a great success; but it’s hung around the periphery of the standard repertory for almost a century and a half. The Santa Fe Opera will stage it this summer as will the Opéra-Comique. The tenor-baritone duet (‘Au fond du…
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Au Fond Du Temple Saint
Written by Neil Kurtzman | 25th August 2011George Bizet’s first opera Les pêcheurs de perles was first performed in 1863. It is best known for its tenor-baritone duet “Au fond du temple saint” which appears in the first act. Almost as well known is the tenor aria “Je crois encore entendre” which I’ll get around to in a later post. Enrico Caruso and Mario Ancona set…
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