Carmen

Librettist/Text Author: Halevy, Ludovic

Librettist/Text Author: Meilhac, Henri

Conductor: Karajan, Herbert von

Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

Chorus: Vienna State Opera Chorus

Carmen: Bumbry, Grace

Don Jose: Vickers, Jon

Escamillo: Diaz, Justino

Micaela: Freni, Mirella

Producer: Buttenstedt, Fritz

Set Designer: Wakhevitch, Georges

Set Designer: Otto, Teo

Costume Designer: Wakhevitch, Georges

Stage Director: Karajan, Herbert von

Television Director: Karajan, Herbert von

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Date of Production: 1966

Festival: Salzburg Festival

Playing Time: 02:41:00

Catalogue Number: A05003129

Libretto

Carmen EN

Synopsis

Carmen

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If Herbert von Karajan continues to be a looming presence in today's classical music world, then it is not only because of his more than 800 records and CDs, but also because of the many hours of video recordings which he produced over the course of many years. He began preserving his performances on film back in 1965 with La Boheme. His Carmen is based on his 1966 production for the Salzburg Festival with Grace Bumbry – one of the greatest interpreters of the title role in our time -, Jon Vickers, Mirella Freni and Justino Diaz in the lead roles. Perhaps the most popular opera in the world today, Carmen began its life as a failure when it was premiered in Paris in 1875. Tchaikovsky, however, who was in Paris at the time, prophesied that the opera would be a global success in only ten years. It took a little longer, but his prophecy did come true... and with works such as the Habanera, the Toreador Song, the Seguidilla and the Flower Song, how could the prophecy not come true?