Customer Reviews

Bizet: Carmen / Norman, Freni, Shicoff, Estes; Ozawa

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

 

 

Jessye Norman is extraordinary in this recording and so is Neal Shicoff. I view Carmen in a different light after listening to this recording. Carmen is so overexposed, so sugar-coated that usually it is hard to bear it. When I started listening towards the middle, to this recording on Sean Bianco's capradio (this is a .org site in Sacramento) program, at first I didnt recognize it, it sounded so different, so beautiful. I thought how sensuous, how exotic. Norman sings beautifully and in addition her French accent is the most delicious (you can hear it also in La Belle Helene). She gets across the sultry, fiery, luscious woman Carmen is supposed to be. I admit I havent listened to all of the famous Carmens but whatever I listened to, especially any of the newer artists, dont come close to this in terms of quality.

What can I say of an absolute wonderful soprano who has a blooper? Carmen is not for her. She sounds so soft, that no man's heart can sense the Carmen's traditional dangerous fire.
The Orchestra sound is spectacular, but lacks of the grandeur that Ozawa has in Philips' Carmina Burana, for example. I am big Norman Fan, but I think she was born for singing spirituals, or Isolde or Poulenc Songs. The Figaro Countess under Davies is absolutely delicious. What can I say? Carmen is not for her.But she is a wonderful singer. Period. My Carmen is Julia Migenes and Placido Domingo under Lorin Maazel.

I have no idea who was the "genius" who thought of Jessye Norman as Carmen. It is a pity that such an important singer as she turned out such a disastrous performance. Everything is wrong in her portrayal: sense of style, characterisation, charm...,the Don Jose and the Escamillo are hardly better, only Mirella Freni, even well past her prime, gives any pleasure. Ozawa conducts a grandiloquent, verismo Carmen, like they used to do in the 50's. Even if you are a fan of Norman, I would strongly recommend to stay away from this recording. If you are looking for a truly great recording of Carmen look no further than Teresa Berganza/Claudio Abbado in DG, the best recording ever of Bizet's masterpiece. Other good alternatives are Victoria de los Angeles/Beecham and Tatiana Troyanos/Solti, but Berganza is the most passionate and magical Carmencita of all.

The people who think this recording is dull and disastrous apparently do not know music. She sounds beautiful. I would love to see the people who complain pull this off. My favorite was her rendition of Mais Nous Ne Voyons Pas La Carmencita. God has certainly blessed her with a magnificent voice. I have heard Carmen sung by several different singers, and they all have their unique way of presenting her. If all opera singers sang the same and acted the same way then it would be boring. I loved this rendition of Carmen. Jessye Norman has a beautiful voice,and a beautiful spirit about her. I wish her well, and I am looking forward to seeing her at Carnegie Hall on May 1 2008 if it is the Lords will. By the way what Hall will all you opera critics be singing at?????

This recording has the best Don Jose ever recorded.

I find Jess Norman's Carmen a fine one too, very dramatic. The final scene is terrifying, so passionate. Don Jose is a desperate man. He sings with real passion.

I have given this recording more than just a few chances and I just cannot help but almost falling asleep everytime I listen to it! And Carmen is supposed to be a fun opera, so there MUST be something wrong here!

There are a lot of good recordings out there and many time-transcending Carmens who's seduction skills will work their magic on you MUCH better than this one! I prefer Callas above all as Carmen...

Avoid this one

Jessye Norman is amazing in this recording. At one point the (normally jaded and sedate)orchestra can't help but burst into wild applause after particularly moving aria. I guess the reaction is so appropos that the recording engineers just decided to leave it on the recording.