Georges Bizet

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Biography

Born: 1838   Died: 1875   Country: France   Period: Romantic
Known for one of the world's most popular operas, Carmen, Georges Bizet deserves attention as well for other works of remarkable melodic charm. Many of his works received cool receptions on their premieres but are now considered central to the repertory of classical music.

Bizet was born in Paris on October 25, 1838, and grew up in a happy, musical family that encouraged his talents. He learned to read music at the same time he learned to Read more read letters, and equally well. Entering the Paris Conservatory before he was ten, he earned first prize in solfčge within six months, a first prize in piano in 1852, and eventually, the coveted Prix de Rome in 1857 for his cantata Clovis et Clotilde. His teachers had included Marmontel for piano and Halévy for composition, but the greatest influence on him was Charles Gounod, of whom Bizet later said "You were the beginning of my life as an artist." Bizet himself hid away his Symphony in C, written when he was 17, feeling it was too much like its models, Gounod's symphonies. The two years spent in Rome after winning his prize, would be the only extensive time, and a greatly impressionable one, that Bizet would spend outside of Paris in his brief life. When he returned to Paris, he lost confidence in his natural talents and began to substitute dry Germanic or academic writing for his own developing idiom. He composed a one-act opera for production at the Opéra-Comique, but the theater's director engaged him to write a full-length opera instead, Les pęcheurs de perles (The Pearl Fishers). It was not a success at the time, but despite a few weaknesses, the work was revived in 1886, and its sheer beauty has earned it a respected position among the lesser-played operatic repertory. In 1863 Bizet's father bought land outside Paris where he built two bungalows, one of which Bizet frequently used as a compositional retreat. He began a friendship (apparently not a physical one) with a neighbor-woman named Céleste Mogador, a former actress, author, courtesan, circus rider, and dance-hall girl. She is said to have been the model for his masterpiece's title role of Carmen. Bizet earned his living as an accompanist and publishing house arranger. Meanwhile, he poured his creative efforts into an immense five-act opera in the grand tradition, Ivan IV, but it was never performed. This proved to be a pattern for the rest of his career. Bizet would work hard to get an opera produced, and even if he did, it would usually receive only a handful of performances. Bizet's corpus of unfinished works is large, and testifies to his unsettled existence and his difficulty in finding a place in France's notoriously hierarchical and conservative musical world. In 1869 Bizet married Genevičve Halévy, daughter of his teacher. The marriage did not turn out to be a happy one, primarily due to her family's history of mental illness. In 1872, Bizet's splendid incidental music for the play L'arlčsienne was poorly received, but when the composer assembled the music into an orchestral suite for a November performance, it found great acclaim. At last confident of his creative vision, Bizet was able to steer his final masterpiece through various obstacles, including the objections of singers and theater directors who were shocked by Carmen's subject matter. When the opera had its premiere on March 3, 1875, it was received barely well enough to hang on for future productions. Although it took audiences only a few weeks to catch on, Bizet died convinced it was a failure. Read less

Featured Georges Bizet CDs & DVDs:

Callas Edition - Bizet: Carmen / Prętre, Guiot, Gedda, Et Al
Callas Edition - Bizet: Carmen / Prętre, Guiot, Gedda, Et Al
Release Date: 08/19/1997   Label: Emi Classics  
Catalog: 56281   Number of Discs: 2
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Bizet: Carmen / Karajan, Baltsa, Carreras, Van Dam Et Al
Bizet: Carmen / Karajan, Baltsa, Carreras, Van Dam Et Al
Release Date: 11/17/1983   Label: Deutsche Grammophon  
Catalog: 410088   Number of Discs: 3
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La Belle Époche - Bizet, Lehar, Verdi / Maurice André
La Belle Époche - Bizet, Lehar, Verdi / Maurice André
Release Date: 09/07/1993   Label: Erato  
Catalog: 92126   Number of Discs: 1
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Bizet: Carmen / Sinopoli, Larmore, Gheorghiu, Moser, Ramey
Bizet: Carmen / Sinopoli, Larmore, Gheorghiu, Moser, Ramey
Release Date: 09/03/1996   Label: Teldec  
Catalog: 12672   Number of Discs: 3
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Bizet: Carmen - Highlights / Lombard, Crespin, Py, Van Dam
Bizet: Carmen - Highlights / Lombard, Crespin, Py, Van Dam
Release Date: 09/03/1996   Label: Erato  
Catalog: 13801   Number of Discs: 1
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Work: L'arlésienne: Suite no 2

Browse 1-25 of 60 Available Recordings
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  • 1.
    Mercury Living Presence - The Collector's Edition Vol 2
    Mercury Living Presence - The Collector's Edition Vol 2
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 001831802 Release Date: 06/04/2013   Number of Discs: 55
    Composer:  Arnold Schoenberg,  Anton von Webern,  Alban Berg,  Ottorino Respighi  ... 
    Performer:  Helga Pilarczyk,  Yehudi Menuhin,  Mihaly Székely,  Olga Szönyi  ... 
    Conductor:  Antal Doráti,  Rafael Kubelik,  Anatole Fistoulari,  Frederick Fennell  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  London Symphony Orchestra,  Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra,  Philharmonia Hungarica  ... 
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  • 2.
    Bizet: Symphony In C Major, Etc / Fruhbeck De Burgos, Et Al
    Bizet: Symphony In C Major, Etc / Fruhbeck De Burgos, Et Al
    Label: Regis   Catalog: 1191 Release Date: 01/29/2013   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Georges Bizet
    Conductor:  Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos,  Dirk Joeres,  Barry Wordsworth
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  London Symphony Orchestra,  West German Sinfonia
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  • 3.
    Bizet: Complete Orchestral Works / Batiz, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
    Bizet: Complete Orchestral Works / Batiz, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
    Label: Brilliant Classics   Catalog: 94404 Release Date: 08/28/2012   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Georges Bizet
    Conductor:  Enrique Bátiz
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Mexico Philharmonic Orchestra,  Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
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  • 4.
    More Magical Classics
    Label: Zyx Records   Catalog: 7 Release Date: 06/01/2012   Number of Discs: 10
    Composer:  Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky,  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Anton Rubinstein,  Bedrich Smetana  ... 
    Performer:  Magda Bergreich,  Michael Ponti,  Iwan Czerkow,  Dubravka Tomsic  ... 
    Conductor:  Vladimir Petroschoff,  Lawrence Siegel,  Anton Nanut,  Herbert Münchner  ... 
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  • 5.
    Albeniz, Ravel, Chabrier, Bizet / Jean Morel
    Albeniz, Ravel, Chabrier, Bizet / Jean Morel
    Label: Eloquence   Catalog: 4801305 Release Date: 11/08/2011   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Isaac Albeniz,  Maurice Ravel,  Emmanuel Chabrier,  Georges Bizet
    Conductor:  Jean Paul Morel
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Paris Conservatoire Orchestra,  Royal Opera House Covent Garden Orchestra
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  • 6.
    Sir Thomas Beecham: French Music - Berlioz, Bizet, Delibes, Debussy, Faure, Etc.
    Sir Thomas Beecham: French Music - Berlioz, Bizet, Delibes, Debussy, Faure, Etc.
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 09932 Release Date: 03/22/2011   Number of Discs: 6
    Composer:  Hector Berlioz,  Georges Bizet,  Charles Gounod,  Léo Delibes  ... 
    Conductor:  Sir Thomas Beecham
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  ORTF National Orchestra,  Royal Philharmonic Orchestra,  Beecham Choral Society  ... 
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  • 7.
    Bizet: Complete Piano Music / Julia Severus
    Bizet: Complete Piano Music / Julia Severus
    Label: Naxos   Catalog: 8570831-32 Release Date: 02/22/2011   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Georges Bizet
    Performer:  Julia Severus
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  • 8.
    L'amour Et La Mort - Widor, Saint-saens, Bizet, Faure / Iveta Apkalna
    L'amour Et La Mort - Widor, Saint-saens, Bizet, Faure / Iveta Apkalna
    Label: Oehms   Catalog: 678 Release Date: 02/22/2011   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Charles-Marie Widor,  Camille Saint-Saëns,  Georges Bizet,  Gabriel Fauré
    Performer:  Iveta Apkalna
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  • 9.
    Bizet: Suites, Symphony; Turina: Danzas Fantasticas / Ansermet
    Bizet: Suites, Symphony; Turina: Danzas Fantasticas / Ansermet
    Label: Eloquence   Catalog: 4800457 Release Date: 03/16/2010   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Georges Bizet,  Joaquin Turina
    Conductor:  Ernest Ansermet
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Suisse Romande Orchestra
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  • 10.
    Bizet: Symphony In C, L'arlesienne Suites / Delacote, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
    Bizet: Symphony In C, L'arlesienne Suites / Delacote, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
    Label: Royal Philharmonic Masterworks   Catalog: 28480 Release Date: 11/10/2009   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Georges Bizet
    Conductor:  Jacques Delacôte
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
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  • 11.
    Ultimate French Classics [5-CD Set]
    Ultimate French Classics [5-CD Set]
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 001313602 Release Date: 08/25/2009   Number of Discs: 5
    Composer:  Florent Schmitt,  Charles Koechlin,  Gabriel Fauré,  Paul Dukas  ... 
    Performer:  Sylvia McNair,  Thomas Allen,  Daniel Chorzempa
    Conductor:  Sir Neville Marriner,  David Zinman,  Edo De Waart,  Bernard Haitink  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Academy of St. Martin in the Fields,  Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chorus,  Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra  ... 
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  • 12.
    Bizet: L'arlesienne, Carmen Suites / Dutoit, Montreal Sym
    Bizet: L'arlesienne, Carmen Suites / Dutoit, Montreal Sym
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 417839 Release Date: 02/18/2009   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Georges Bizet
    Conductor:  Charles Dutoit
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Montreal Symphony Orchestra
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  • 13.
    Bizet: Carmen And L'arlesienne Suites / Batiz, Mexico Po
    Bizet: Carmen And L'arlesienne Suites / Batiz, Mexico Po
    Label: Brilliant Classics   Catalog: 93842 Release Date: 01/13/2009   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Georges Bizet
    Conductor:  Enrique Bátiz
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Mexico Philharmonic Orchestra
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  • 14.
    Bizet: Arlesienne Suite; Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 Pastorale
    Bizet: Arlesienne Suite; Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 Pastorale
    Label: Berlin Classics   Catalog: 182 Release Date: 11/24/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Georges Bizet,  Ludwig van Beethoven
    Conductor:  Heinz Rögner,  Franz Konwitschny
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra,  Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra
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  • 15.
    Bizet: Symphony In C Major, Etc; Debussy: Children's Corner / Leopold Stokowski
    Bizet: Symphony In C Major, Etc; Debussy: Children's Corner / Leopold Stokowski
    Label: Cala Records   Catalog: 548 Release Date: 10/14/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Claude Debussy,  Georges Bizet
    Conductor:  Leopold Stokowski
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Leopold Stokowski Orchestra
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  • 16.
    Bizet: L'Arlesienne Suites 1 & 2, Carmen Suite / Chung, Bastille Opera Orchestra
    Bizet: L'Arlesienne Suites 1 & 2, Carmen Suite / Chung, Bastille Opera Orchestra
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 471736 Release Date: 09/23/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Georges Bizet
    Conductor:  Myung-Whun Chung
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Paris Opéra-Bastille Orchestra
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  • 17.
    Bizet: L'arlesienne Suites, Symphony / Dutoit, Montreal Symphony
    Bizet: L'arlesienne Suites, Symphony / Dutoit, Montreal Symphony
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 475190 Release Date: 09/02/2008  
    Composer:  Georges Bizet
    Conductor:  Charles Dutoit
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Montreal Symphony Orchestra
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  • 18.
    Basics 25-cd Boxset
    Basics 25-cd Boxset
    Label: Berlin Classics   Catalog: 186002 Release Date: 07/08/2008   Number of Discs: 25
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Ludwig van Beethoven,  Hector Berlioz,  Georges Bizet  ... 
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  • 19.
    Bergonzi, Kabaivanska, Freni, Siepi, Berganza
    Bergonzi, Kabaivanska, Freni, Siepi, Berganza
    Label: Fabula Classica   Catalog: 610 Release Date: 05/27/2008   Number of Discs: 4
    Composer:  Francesco Cilča,  Giacomo Puccini,  Giuseppe Verdi,  Gioachino Rossini  ... 
    Performer:  Raina Kabaivanska,  Cesare Siepi,  Mirella Freni,  Carlo Bergonzi  ... 
    Conductor:  Nino Bonavolontŕ,  Bruno Amaducci
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana,  Italian Switzerland Radio/TV Orchestra
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  • 20.
    Bizet: Carmen Suite, L'Arlésienne Suites / Minkowski, Les Musiciens Du Louvre
    Bizet: Carmen Suite, L'Arlésienne Suites / Minkowski, Les Musiciens Du Louvre
    Label: Naive   Catalog: 5130 Release Date: 04/29/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Georges Bizet
    Conductor:  Marc Minkowski
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Les Musiciens du Louvre,  Lyon Opera Chorus
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  • 21.
    Bizet: L' Arlésienne; La Jolie Fille De Perth Suite; Carmen Suites / Marriner, Barenboim
    Bizet: L' Arlésienne; La Jolie Fille De Perth Suite; Carmen Suites / Marriner, Barenboim
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 5176492 Release Date: 04/18/2008   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Georges Bizet
    Conductor:  Daniel Barenboim,  Sir Neville Marriner,  Sir Charles Mackerras,  Louis Frémaux
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Orchestre de Paris,  Academy of St. Martin in the Fields,  City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
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  • 22.
    Die Großen Suiten Georges Bizet
    Die Großen Suiten Georges Bizet
    Label: Delta Ent.   Catalog: 13503 Release Date: 04/08/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Georges Bizet
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  • 23.
    Karajan - Complete Emi Recordings 1946-84 Vol 1 - Orchestral Works
    Karajan - Complete Emi Recordings 1946-84 Vol 1 - Orchestral Works
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 12038 Release Date: 04/01/2008   Number of Discs: 88
    Composer:  Johann Strauss Jr.,  Josef Strauss,  E. Nikolaus von Reznicek,  Johannes Brahms  ... 
    Performer:  Karl Leister,  Elisabeth Schwarzkopf,  Ernst Haefliger,  Anne-Sophie Mutter  ... 
    Conductor:  Herbert von Karajan
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  • 24.
    Karajan - The Legend
    Karajan - The Legend
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 15934 Release Date: 04/01/2008   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Antonín Dvorák,  Hector Berlioz,  Johann Strauss Jr.,  Jean Sibelius  ... 
    Conductor:  Herbert von Karajan
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
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  • 25.
    Respighi: La Boutique Fantasque; Bizet: Jeux D'enfants, Etc
    Respighi: La Boutique Fantasque; Bizet: Jeux D'enfants, Etc
    Label: Cbs Masterworks Digital Masters   Catalog: 46508 Release Date: 03/26/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Ottorino Respighi,  Georges Bizet
    Conductor:  Sir Andrew Davis
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Toronto Symphony Orchestra
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