Carmen
Thomson Smillie
Carmen is among the most popular operas for all the obvious reasons: great characters, a gripping story and fabulous music. But what sets it on a pinnacle is an amazing combination of three factors: a sizzling gipsy heroine (one of the most psychologically complex and compelling characters in all theatre), great atmosphere (Spain, hot sun, the bull-ring) and the prodigality of melodic invention – one great tune after another, at least a dozen of which are the staples of Madison Avenue and the animated cartoon. Like a surprising number of opera-house staples, Carmen was not a success at its first performance. In fact, it is likely that its failure contributed to the early death of the composer. But as Thomson Smillie shows in his accessible introduction, the emotionally driven nature of its heroine and her admirers, Don José and Escamillo, makes Carmen unforgettable. As always in the Opera Explained series, the music itself plays an integral role.
Author - Thomson Smillie.
Narrator - David Timson.
Published Date - Thursday, 19 January 2023.
Location:
United States
Networks:
Thomson Smillie
David Timson
Opera Explained
Naxos Audiobooks
English Audiobooks
Findaway Audiobooks
Description:
Carmen is among the most popular operas for all the obvious reasons: great characters, a gripping story and fabulous music. But what sets it on a pinnacle is an amazing combination of three factors: a sizzling gipsy heroine (one of the most psychologically complex and compelling characters in all theatre), great atmosphere (Spain, hot sun, the bull-ring) and the prodigality of melodic invention – one great tune after another, at least a dozen of which are the staples of Madison Avenue and the animated cartoon. Like a surprising number of opera-house staples, Carmen was not a success at its first performance. In fact, it is likely that its failure contributed to the early death of the composer. But as Thomson Smillie shows in his accessible introduction, the emotionally driven nature of its heroine and her admirers, Don José and Escamillo, makes Carmen unforgettable. As always in the Opera Explained series, the music itself plays an integral role. Author - Thomson Smillie. Narrator - David Timson. Published Date - Thursday, 19 January 2023.
Language:
English
Chapter 1
Duration:00:02:27
Chapter 2
Duration:00:01:59
Chapter 3
Duration:00:02:28
Chapter 4
Duration:00:01:24
Chapter 5
Duration:00:03:26
Chapter 6
Duration:00:00:17
Chapter 7
Duration:00:00:18
Chapter 8
Duration:00:00:19
Chapter 9
Duration:00:00:52
Chapter 10
Duration:00:04:02
Chapter 11
Duration:00:03:26
Chapter 12
Duration:00:05:42
Chapter 13
Duration:00:02:44
Chapter 14
Duration:00:04:40
Chapter 15
Duration:00:01:10
Chapter 16
Duration:00:02:18
Chapter 17
Duration:00:02:50
Chapter 18
Duration:00:03:05
Chapter 19
Duration:00:02:07
Chapter 20
Duration:00:03:27
Chapter 21
Duration:00:03:01
Chapter 22
Duration:00:02:36
Chapter 23
Duration:00:01:44
Chapter 24
Duration:00:01:18
Chapter 25
Duration:00:02:27
Chapter 26
Duration:00:05:36