[Georges Bizet]
CARMEN
Opera in four acts by Georges Bizet; words by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, founded on the novel by Prosper Mérimée. Produced, Opéra Comique, Paris, March 3, 1875, the title rôle being created by Galli-Marié. Her Majesty's Theatre, London, in Italian, June 22, 1878; same theatre, February 5, 1879, in English; same theatre, November 8, 1886, in French, with Galli-Marié. Minnie Hauck, who created Carmen, in London, also created the rôle in America, October 23, 1879, at the Academy of Music, New York, with Campanini (Don José), Del Puente (Escamillo), and Mme. Sinico (Micaela). The first New Orleans Carmen, January 14, 1881, was Mme. Ambré. Calvé made her New York début as Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera House, December 20, 1893, with Jean de Reszke (Don José), and Eames (Micaela). Bressler-Gianoli, and afterwards Calvé, sang the rôle at the Manhattan Opera House. Farrar made her first appearance as Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera House, November 19, 1914. Campanini, Jean de Reszke, and Caruso are the most famous Don Josés who have appeared in this country; but the rôle also has been admirably interpreted by Saléza and Dalmorès. No singer has approached Emma Eames as Micaela; nor has any interpreter of Escamillo equalled Del Puente, who had the range and quality of voice and buoyancy of action which the rôle requires. Galassi, Campanari, Plançon, and Amato should be mentioned as other interpreters of the rôle.
February 13, 1912, Mary Garden appeared as Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera House, with the Chicago Opera Company.
"Carmen" is an opera of world-wide popularity, and as highly esteemed by musicians as by the public.
Characters
| Don José, a corporal of dragoons | Tenor | |||
| Escamillo, a toreador | Baritone | |||
| El Dancairo | } | smugglers | { | Baritone |
| El Remendado | } | { | Tenor | |
| Zuniga, a captain | Bass | |||
| Morales, an officer | Bass | |||
| Micaela, a peasant girl | Soprano | |||
| Frasquita | } | gypsies, friends of Carmen | { | Mezzo-Soprano |
| Mercedes | } | { | Mezzo-Soprano | |
| Carmen, a cigarette girl and gypsy | Soprano | |||
Innkeeper, guide, officers, dragoons, boys, cigarette girls, gypsies, smugglers, etc.
Time—About 1820.