Metropolitan Opera Preview: Carmen

The Met revives Carmen. And that's no bull.
by Paul J. Pelkonen

Private dancer: Anita Rachvelishvili (center) hoofs it in Act II of Carmen.
Photo by Ken Howard © 2012 The Metropolitan Opera

Carmen has it all: memorable tunes, a compelling plot and a score that sticks close to French classicism while drinking deeply of the rhythms and meters of its Spanish setting. George Bizet's last work (he died shortly after it premiered) is one of the most popular operas in the repertory, and rightfully so.
All the world moves through Bizet's version of Seville, from the marching flag-waving children in the first act to the fleet-footed bullfighter Escamillo. The score is packed end-to-end with familiar musical moments yet in the hands of a skilled conductor it comes to life and becomes more than a sum of its parts. Here, Spanish conductor Pablo Heras-Casado takes on the challenge of bringing Carmen back to life.
The sensual Georgian mezzo-soprano Anita Rachvelishvili brings her smoldering eyes and riveting stage presence to the role of Carmen, the most famous femme fatale in opera. The spring cast features Elina Garança, who created this role when this production premiered.
 Carmen opens Sept. 30.
 Recording Recommendations:
(Ed. note: this is re-posted from a previous "buyer's guide" article on Superconductor. Hey, it's my blog.)
Carmen's elusive quality extends to the recording studio, where a number of all-star teams have gone in to make the ideal recording of Bizet's opera, only to come up woefully short.
The list of divas defeated by Carmen includes names like Jessye Norman, Maria Callas, and even Joan Sutherland (whose Micaëla was nothing to write home about.) Famous conductors have tried to record this opera, only to be put out of court by disastrous tenors, weird taste in singers, or simple perversity in the production booth. With that in mind, here's a quick guide to the survivors: the recordings of Carmen that are worth owning.
(There are only two!) Chor et Orchestre de la Radiodiffusion de France, cond. Thomas Beecham.  Carmen: Victoria de los Angeles Don José: Nicolai Gedda Micaëla: Janine Michaeu Escamillo: Ernest Blanc
Sir Thomas Beecham shows his vast experience as an opera conductor in this perfectly paced performance. He opts for the Giraud recitatives (standard practice back when this recording was made.) Their presence lends the recording a flowing, dramatic quality.
Victoria De los Angeles is superb, sensual and deeply human in the title role. Gedda, always at home in French repertory, is at his finest in this early recording. Micaëla and Escamillo are not star singers, but both understand the part thoroughly and sing in idiomatic French.
London Symphony Orchestra cond. Claudio Abbado Carmen: Teresa Berganza Don José: Placído Domingo Micaëla: Ileana Cotrubas Escamillo: Sherrill Milnes
This studio recording was made following the 1977 Edinburgh Festival. The late Claudio Abbado and the LSO play like an orchestra shot out of a cannon, with a rapid Prologue and quick pacing throughout the opera. The spoken dialog is used throughout, adding to the theatrical feel.
Placído Domingo is in the prime of his voice. So is Milnes, as the swaggering bullfighter. Teresa Berganza has a smaller voice than most Carmens, but the force and intelligence behind her performance bring depth to the character. Ileana Cotrubas might be the best Micaëla on disc. Tickets for Carmen are available at MetOperaFamily.Org, by calling (212) 362-6000, or at the box office.