Bizet: Carmen - Beecham conducts at the Met

There are few works in the operatic repertoire that are performed more frequently or that have been recorded more times than Georges Bizet’s Carmen, and no wonder. There are memorable tunes, a colorful setting, a compelling drama, and music of superior quality.  

The earliest surviving Metropolitan Opera recording of the opera by native French speakers in the principal roles was made on tour from a live performance at Chicago’s Civic Opera House on March 27, 1943. Lily Djanel in the title role was Belgian, and Raoul Jobin was French Canadian.  Both are fine singers although not well known today. In a stroke of luxury casting, a young Leonard Warren sings Escamillo, and Licia Albanese sings the relatively small role of Micaëla.

Sir Thomas Beecham conducts one of his 24 performances of the opera with the Met. During the Second World War, he became the foremost conductor of the Met’s French repertoire. His familiarity with and love for the opera shines through every bar.  The recording represents one of the most convincingly idiomatic performances of the work of which I am aware.  

The recording is beautifully remastered by Andrew Rose for this release on his French Pristine Audio label. The recording is made using Pristine’s XR technology that restores much of the resonance and audio presence of the original performance.

My personal favorite of the available studio recordings features Teresa Berganza. Placido Domingo, Sherrill Milnes, and Ilena Cotrubas, all great voices, with Claudio Abbado conducting the London Symphony Orchestra.

But for a recording with an authentic feel for the opera house in superior remastered sound, the recent (2021) Pristine Audio release, PACO 176, is in a class by itself. You can hear it and judge for yourself on WTJU’s Sunday Opera Matinee at 2:00 P.M. on April 18.