Customer Reviews

Bizet: Carmen

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've given up on the notion that there's only "one" best recording of an opera. Certainly, there are classics, e.g. Callas' Tosca. Still, there is so much variation in opera in terms of multiple singers, an orchestra, etc. that it's hard to tell someone they should prefer one to another. Everyone finds something different in the same opera that appeals to them. That said, I find this Carmen extremely appealing. Troyanos has a "dusky" voice that sounds like she really COULD have worked in a cigarette factory. Domingo, is, well, Domingo. Solti's conducting is at it's usual quick tempo, which is particuarly suited to Carmen. I think the reviewer below who preferred the "Gaelic" recording of Abbado might have a good point. Carmen, although written by a Frenchman, is set in Spain of course. So, having a "Spanish" as opposed to a "French" sound shouldn't deter. All in all, very rewarding! (Caveat: the Penguin guide qualifies the third star it gives this recording on the grounds that the orchestral bass is "boomy." I agree, but think it adds rather than detracts in Carmen, which I prefer to be played fast and "boomy." Again, that's a matter of personal preference...)

I first checked this CD out from my local library after seeing the Met's version of the perenially popular opera a couple of years ago. As I listened to the beginning of the Habanera, I heard this astonishingly beautiful voice float through the words. Continuing to listen, I became more and more enchanted with the voice of the wonderful Tatiana Troyanos. The complete recording was one of my best Christmas presents this year! Having listened to several other Troyanos recordings since then, I have come to the conclusion that she is ranked VERY highly on my list of favorite mezzo-sopranos, and that I only hope that if I perform this role, I can bring the same sheer beauty of voice to it that she did. Viva Troyanos!

This recording of CARMEN was meant for Teresa Berganza, but when DECCA cut rehearsal time she withdrew, and Troyanos came to the rescue. It is certainly a very good Carmen, and I rate it as one of Solti's best recordings. Troyanos has a natural vibrato that may not be to everyone's liking, but she sings with integrity and good taste. Domingo is of course, Domingo, and was born to sing Jose. Van Dam and Kiri Te Kanawa are excellent, the sound and DECCA production too. But please don't forget that there is a much better CARMEN, one recorded at the Edinburgh Festival in 1977 when Teresa Berganza had all the rehearsal time she wanted, and Claudio Abbado and Placido Domingo. Berganza's Carmen is the most French of all, one rooted in Offenbach and Gounod, not in flamenco or Granados. Carmen was meant for the Opera-Comique, and it is very difficult to recapture it's special stylistic needs. Berganza and Abbado do this better than anyone else. Carmen is no verismo opera, it should not be sung like Cavalleria or Tosca, if you want to know how Carmen was meant to be, get the Abbado recording, much finer than this already very good version.

As a vocalist and a lover of opera, I believe this has got to be the best recording of "Carmen" that's out there. I recently performed this opera with a local summer program; Te Kanawa's "Micaela" was inspirational to us all, and of course, Troyanos' sultry portrayal of "Carmen" is untouchable. Everyone should own a copy of this exciting and well done opera. Bravo!

Solti conducts a spectacular Carmen. This is a legendary Carmen that is surely one of the finest in the catalogue. If you want an exciting spectacular Carmen, this is it!!! This is the one to get. It was based on a Convent garden production and the live atmosphere comes in convincingly. It boasts Domingo's first Don Jose - a terrific portrayal. The creamy singing of Kanawa is mesmerizing from start to finish. Legend Trayonas is amazing as Carmen. Van Dam is the conssumate artiste. You don
t know Carmen if you haven't heard this.

I agree with all the reviews before mine, and all I can add is that I bought it for Kiri Te Kanawa. I just love her hauntingly beautiful voice and she is in good company with Troyanos and Domingo, not to mention Sir George Solti, who was one of the greatest conductors of the 20th century. This CD set is a gem.

Maria Callas has been the love of my life since forever. Through a wonderful conjunction of the planets, a very good tape version became available at the same time I had the money to afford Callas-Carmen. I treasured that tape box despite the reels having been overloaded and thus very difficult to handle on a vertical deck. Ultimately, the edition became damaged and I never replaced it. But the longing in my heart for the so sexy so sultry Callas never dampened...until Father's day 2010 when I was gifted the money for the Solti-Troyanos edition. I have a new Carmen-love now. Tatiana Troyanos is wonderful and she is wonderfully supported by singers, choristers and orchestra. No use to gild the lily more than that. If you want an edition to leave your grand kids, this certainly has to be it. Adieu, Maria.

Thoroughly enjoyable recording. Very thoughtful liner notes and conducting by Sir Georg Solti. Wonderful performances by Placido Domingo and Tatiana Troyanos in the lead roles. Recording quality impeccable. One of the best performances of Carmen you'll ever hear.

Excelente grabación de la Carmen de Bizet, Domingo ejecuta a la perfección su rol del atormentado Don Jose, Troyanos nos hace sentir la pasion, amor, libertad y desden de una Carmen que nos ha cautivado por años. Te Kanawa muestra a una Micaela sumamente tierna (escuchen su dueto con Domingo en el primer acto, muestra al maximo el amor filial) y Van Damme es un Escamillo con presencia y señorio todo un Don Juan. Solti dirige esta Carmen combinando las 2 versiones de esta obra y con gran dramatismo. Haganse un favor y consiganla

This is *the* best recording of CArmen I have ever heard. Carmen is a beautiful opera, with a wonderful story, and it really comes to life on these cd's. I have also sung excerpts from CArmen, and I just have to say it's a lot of fun, even if it is in French, and this is a great Cd to buy.