Today is the anniversary of the first performance (Paris, 1875) of the opera Carmen, by George Bizet. Though it is easily one of the most popular opera’s performed today, it was not successful at its launch. Bizet died in June that year at age 36. Just before he died, he had agreed to have it performed in Vienna, and the performance there, also in 1875, was a huge success. This led to continuing performances and its eventual fame.
The opera was based on a short novel by Prosper Merimee. The story is about a young woman who seduces a soldier; the soldier deserts the military, but she scorns him in favor of a bullfighter, after which he kills her. It was written as an opera comique (where dialog is spoken) but is now played as a grand opera (dialog is sung). You can read an English translation of the novel at
Prosper was an archaeologist and short story writer. Prosper apparently learned of the story of Carmen from the Countess of Montijo (Spain), whose daughter married Napolean III and became Empress Eugenie. He also discovered the amazing tapestries of The Lady and the Unicorn; these are shown hanging in the Gryffindor Common Room in the Harry Potter movies. You can see pictures of the tapestries at http://www.musee-moyenage.fr/
He wrote several other novels. One is called Mateo Falcone, which was also made into an opera. It is short story set in Corsica, a translation is available at http://www.classicshorts.com/
Merimee was the person appointed as France’s inspector general of historical monuments, and the French list of national monuments is named after him.
No comments:
Post a Comment