Georges Bizet

Possibly the title Carmen is better known than the name of its composer, Georges Bizet. Born 25 October 1838, he was to write several operas of little success before the work that eventually became so popular. His output was varied and during his lifetime works such as Jeux d'enfants brought him more acclaim than anything else. He lived until 3 June 1875.

A selection of articles about Georges Bizet

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Spotlight. Virtuosic Flair - Gerald Fenech recommends dance music played by Daniel Hope and the Zurich Chamber Orchestra. 'Daniel Hope's fiddle-playing is just phenomenal ...'

Ensemble. Lots to Enjoy - Mike Wheeler was at Derby Concert Orchestra's Christmas Concert

Spotlight. Largely Traditional - Keith Bramich listens to Christmas music recorded in 1975 in Atlanta, Georgia. '... an intriguing glimpse of the work of Robert Shaw and his Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus from nearly fifty years ago.'

Ensemble. A Force to be Reckoned With - Mike Wheeler is impressed by Opera North's concert version of Bizet's 'The Pearl Fishers'

Ensemble. Charm, Skill and Versatility - Ron Bierman listens to Isabel Leonard and Pablo Sáinz-Villegas in festive mood

CD Spotlight. A Magnificent and Powerful Recording - Geoff Pearce listens to Augustin Hadelich. '... an impressive technique and tone ...'

Ensemble. A Sleek, Focused Sound - Mike Wheeler reports on Opera North's production of Bizet's 'Carmen' in Nottingham

CD Spotlight. An Exquisite Compilation - A selection of popular orchestral music, recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Spiritedly performed and superbly recorded ...'

Ensemble. Three Divas - Maria Nockin reviews a streamed recital from Versailles, given by Ailyn Pérez, Nadine Sierra, Isabel Leonard, Vlad Iftinca and Pablo Sáinz-Villegas

CD Spotlight. A Jewel Box of Opera Rarities - Giuseppe Pennisi explores a CD set marking the Orfeo International label's first forty years. '... at least two masterpieces emerge ...'

Ensemble. Great Emphasis on Detail - Giuseppe Pennisi enjoys streamed performances of a Carmen double bill in Rome

Ensemble. A Delightful Morning - Diana Damrau and Joseph Calleja sing live from Caserta in Italy as part of Met Stars Live in Concert, experienced by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Bring Back the Blue and the Light - Maria Nockin was impressed by Jonas Kaufmann's recital with Helmut Deutsch in New York Metropolitan Opera's new 'Met Stars Live in Concert' series

CD Spotlight. Fierce Criticism - Gerald Fenech listens to orchestral music by Rodion Shchedrin and Ottorino Respighi. '... a fitting tribute to Mariss Jansons ...'

CD Spotlight. Supremely Pianistic - Gerald Fenech finds pure joy in Etsuko Hirose's recent Moszkowski piano works disc. 'Truly hair-raising stuff, wonderfully annotated and recorded.'

CD Spotlight. An Absolute Soprano - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to a recording by Marina Rebeka. '... perfect emission ... consummate technical skills ...'

Ensemble. Undeniably Exciting - Mike Wheeler listens to Bizet, Ravel, Debussy, Anna Thorvaldsdottir, Sibelius and Walton from Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, Yan Pascal Tortelier and the Iceland Symphony Orchestra

Ensemble. An Autumn Trilogy - 'Norma', 'Aida' and 'Carmen' in Ravenna, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Profile. Tragic Expression - George Colerick discusses Georges Bizet, as the most vital French opera composer since Berlioz

Ensemble. 'Carmen' Redeemed - James Sohre reports from San Francisco

CD Spotlight. A Quintessentially French Bestiary - French songs by various composers, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'Ducks, peacocks, pigs, butterflies, dromedaries, carp, cicadas and owls are just some of the creatures in the menagerie assembled for this recording.'

Ensemble. Perfect for the Role - Ginger Costa-Jackson in Bizet's 'Carmen' at San Diego Opera, reviewed by Ron Bierman

Profile. Convincing Performances - Ron Bierman talks to American mezzo Ginger Costa-Jackson

Ensemble. A Brand New 'Carmen' Ballet - Giuseppe Pennisi reports from the opening night at Teatro dell'Opera di Roma

Ensemble. Is 'Carmen' for Children? - Giuseppe Pennisi attends a special Opera Domani performance

Ensemble. Forcefully Engaging - A school production of 'Carmen', reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Deftly Navigated - Jeffrey Reid Baker, Tchaikovsky, Debussy, Bizet and Rachmaninov from the Cann Twins at Nottingham's Royal Concert Hall, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Very Moving - A Roland Petit soirée at Opera di Roma, experienced by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Sensual and Immoral - A new production of 'Carmen' stirs a mini-International Controversy, by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. Uniquely Peculiar - French music for brass and piano, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'Careful attention to the music's slightest details means the interpretive aspect is consistently special and charismatic.'

Ensemble. Lots of Tinsel - Derby Concert Orchestra's Christmas concert, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Dies Irae - George Colerick takes a look at secular and romantic uses of the old Latin hymn

Somewhat Congested - Jonathan Scott plays the organ of Derby Cathedral, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Echo of Globalization - France at the Festival of Nations, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Carmen Lite-ful (Rhymes with Frightful) - James Sohre sends the last of his reports from San Francisco

Ensemble. Melodic Gold - Bizet's 'The Pearlfishers' live in HD from New York, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Thus Spoke Nietzsche - Daniel Sampaio marks some interesting anniversaries

Ensemble. Grim and Shivery Intensity - Bizet's 'Carmen' at Nevill Holt Opera impresses Roderic Dunnett

CD Spotlight. Attentive Conducting - Orchestral music by Georges Bizet, heard by Stephen Francis Vasta. 'Tingaud's "Roma" easily outclasses the last version I'd heard ...'

CD Spotlight. Well Realized - Varda Kotler and Israel Kastoriano, recommended by Geoff Pearce. '... partnership and sensitivity ...'

Ensemble. Challenging, Versatile and Unexpected - Roderic Dunnett visits Hungarian State Opera

Ensemble. Gallic Elegance - Alexandra Soumm joins Juanjo Mena and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra for music by Ginastera, Lalo, Telemann, Bizet and Ravel, impressing Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. A Real Joy - 'Le Ventre de Paris', praised by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Tragedy to Come - Maria Nockin experiences one of this era's best productions of 'Carmen', live in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera

Appallingly Complex - George Colerick claims that the Nazis approved of Bizet

Ensemble. Thoroughly Delightful - Maria Nockin visits Santa Fe Opera and experiences all of their 2014 productions

Ensemble. Consummate Professionalism - Nigel Ogden begins Derby Cathedral's series of summer organ recitals, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. More Powerful - 'Carmen' in Bizet's original version, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Growing Together - Vorisek in the North Downs, heard by Keith Bramich

Ensemble. A Good Night for Singing - Los Angeles Opera's 'Carmen', reviewed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Top Notch - Magdalena Kozená's Carmen, recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... sheer and utter brilliance in every department.'

Ensemble. A Splendid Violinist - Peter Fisher's 'Music from the Movies', enjoyed by Bill Newman

Ensemble. An Annual Delight - Maria Nockin visits Santa Fe for the summer opera season

Emotional Impressions - Bill Newman listens to Neapolitan pianist Clelia Cafiero

Ensemble. The Turning Point - Giuseppe Pennisi was in eastern Sicily for the opening night of Teatro Massimo Bellini's 2012 season - a low cost but high quality 'Carmen'

Clarity of Expression - Yasmin Rowe plays for the Keyboard Charitable Trust, reviewed by Bill Newman

Ensemble. Uncurbed Impulses - Bizet's 'Carmen' at San Diego Opera, appreciated by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Psychological Portraits - Opera North's 'Carmen', experienced by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Mediterranean Splendour - Dancing to Bizet's 'L'Arlésienne' and 'Carmen', by Giuseppe Pennisi

Performances to Remember - Maria Nockin looks forward to San Diego Opera's 2011 season

Ensemble. Brisk and Powerful - 'Carmen' in Tucson, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Intensely Gripping - Bizet, Richard Strauss and Vaughan Williams from Mark Elder and the Hallé Orchestra, heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Special Praise - Bizet's 'Carmen' at Kentish Opera, enjoyed by Pippa Hare

Ensemble. Colourful and Large Scale - Francesca Zamballo's production of 'Carmen', reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. The Real Thing - Spanish music from the Hallé Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. High Voltage - Sol Gabetta joins Slatkin and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. A Bombshell - Carmen at the movies, by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. A False Start - 'Carmen' at La Scala, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. A Sizzling Rendition - 'Carmen' from Phoenix Opera impresses Maria Nockin

Ensemble. A Sparkling Account - The Kanazawa-Admony Piano Duo pays tribute to Carola Grindea, reviewed by Malcolm Miller

Ensemble. True Artistry - Howard Smith attends New Zealand's Music Fair of Japan 2009

Ensemble. Dramatic Essentials - 'Carmen' from Paris, enjoyed by Robert Hugill

Old and New Worlds - Ioana Osoianu talks to Keith Bramich about her life in the East and West

Record Box. Virtuosic Turns - Solo sonatas by Benedetto Marcello, reviewed by Gerald Fenech

CD Spotlight. Stylish and Pointed - Stokowski conducts Bizet and Debussy, enjoyed by Robert Anderson. '... a rhythmic élan and masterly sense of line ...'

Ensemble. An Exotic Atmosphere - Bizet's 'The Pearl Fishers' at San Diego Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

CD Spotlight. Truly Invigorating - Opera fantasies for violin, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... engaging musical finesse.'

DVD Spotlight. Sensual Drama - West Australian Ballet in Shchedrin's 'Carmen', reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. '... colourful and energetic ...'

Ensemble. Somewhat Controversial - 'Carmen' in Santa Fe, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Gossip and Rebellion - Robert Hugill writes about the history of the first performance of Bizet's 'Carmen'

Ensemble. Shimmering Harmonies - San Diego Opera's 'Carmen' delighted Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Effectively shaped - Bizet's 'The Pearl Fishers', reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Sensationally STILL - Alexa Still and the NGC Wellington Sinfonia, reviewed by Howard Smith

Ensemble. New edition - Robert Hugill congratulates the Chelsea Opera Group on its performance of 'The Pearl Fishers'

Record box. The Spanish Guitar - Ron Bierman listens to excerpts from previous Naxos releases

Record box - Duetting. A new CD of French music considered by Basil Ramsey

Engaging and original - Malcolm Miller enthuses about English National Opera's 2001 Carmen revival