Georges Bizet

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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 solfège 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 pêcheurs 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 Geneviève 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'arlèsienne 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:

Triples - Bizet: Favourite Orchestral Works / Plasson, Et Al
Triples - Bizet: Favourite Orchestral Works / Plasson, Et Al
Release Date: 03/25/2008   Label: Emi Classics  
Catalog: 09414   Number of Discs: 3
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Bizet: Les Pecheurs De Perles / Plasson, Hendricks, Et Al
Bizet: Les Pecheurs De Perles / Plasson, Hendricks, Et Al
Release Date: 04/10/1990   Label: Emi Classics Special Import  
Catalog: 49837   Number of Discs: 2
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Bizet: Les Pecheurs De Perles / Cluytens, Angelici, Et Al
Bizet: Les Pecheurs De Perles / Cluytens, Angelici, Et Al
Release Date: 09/10/2002   Label: Emi Classics  
Catalog: 65266   Number of Discs: 2
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Bizet: Carmen / Garanca, Alagna, Nezet-Seguin, Metropolitan Opera
Bizet: Carmen / Garanca, Alagna, Nezet-Seguin, Metropolitan Opera
Release Date: 09/21/2010   Label: Deutsche Grammophon  
Catalog: 001431109   Number of Discs: 2
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Bizet: Carmen Suite, Etc; Offenbach, At Al / Munch, Et Al
Bizet: Carmen Suite, Etc; Offenbach, At Al / Munch, Et Al
Release Date: 01/23/1996   Label: London/Decca Double Decker  
Catalog: 443033   Number of Discs: 2
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Work: Carmen: Seguidilla

Browse 76-100 of 147 Available Recordings
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  • 76.
    The Complete Conchita Supervia Vol 1 - Odeon 1927-28
    The Complete Conchita Supervia Vol 1 - Odeon 1927-28
    Label: Marston   Catalog: 52041 Release Date: 05/01/2004   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Manuel de Falla,  Eduardo Toldrá,  Ramón Pahissa,  Antonio Marqués  ... 
    Performer:  Frank Marshall,  Conchita Supervia,  Eduardo Toldrá,  Ramón Pahissa  ... 
    Conductor:  Angelo Albergoni,  Emilio Acevedo,  Modesto Romero
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  • 77.
    Lebendige Vergangenheit - Jennie Tourel
    Lebendige Vergangenheit - Jennie Tourel
    Label: Preiser Records   Catalog: 89589 Release Date: 04/27/2004   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Gioachino Rossini,  Vincenzo Bellini,  Georges Bizet,  Jacques Offenbach
    Performer:  Jennie Tourel
    Conductor:  Pietro Cimara,  Fausto Cleva,  Jean Paul Morel,  Maurice Abravanel
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra,  Columbia Symphony Orchestra
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  • 78.
    Bizet: Carmen - Highlights / Alagna, Gheorgiu, Et Al
    Bizet: Carmen - Highlights / Alagna, Gheorgiu, Et Al
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 57502 Release Date: 04/06/2004   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Georges Bizet
    Performer:  Angela Gheorghiu,  Inva Mula-Tchako,  David Alagna,  Roberto Alagna  ... 
    Conductor:  Michel Plasson
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Toulouse Capitole Orchestra,  Les Elements Chamber Choir
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  • 79.
    Maria Callas - Live In London 1961 And 1962
    Maria Callas - Live In London 1961 And 1962
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 62684 Release Date: 11/04/2003   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Carl Maria von Weber,  Gioachino Rossini,  Arrigo Boito,  Georges Bizet  ... 
    Performer:  Maria Callas,  Sir Malcolm Sargent
    Conductor:  Georges Prêtre
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Philharmonia Orchestra,  Royal Opera House Covent Garden Orchestra
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  • 80.
    Malena Ernman - My Love
    Malena Ernman - My Love
    Label: Bis   Catalog: 5020 Release Date: 10/01/2003   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Bo Nilsson,  Nils Lindberg,  Edward "Duke" Ellington,  Franz Schubert  ... 
    Performer:  Magnus Lindgren,  Malena Ernman,  Mats Bergström,  Hans Backenroth
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  • 81.
    Regina Resnik - Dramatic Scenes & Arias
    Regina Resnik - Dramatic Scenes & Arias
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 475017 Release Date: 08/12/2003   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Johann Strauss Jr.,  George Forrest,  Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky,  Richard Strauss  ... 
    Performer:  Waldemar Kmentt,  Regina Resnik,  Robert Merrill,  Peter Gougaloff  ... 
    Conductor:  Herbert von Karajan,  Annuncio Paolo Mantovani,  Mstislav Rostropovich,  Sir Georg Solti  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra,  Vienna State Opera Chorus,  Mike Sammes Singers  ... 
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  • 82.
    Great Voices Of The Past - Favorite French Excerpts
    Great Voices Of The Past - Favorite French Excerpts
    Label: Opera D'oro   Catalog: 8016 Release Date: 07/01/2003   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Georges Bizet,  Jacques Halévy,  Gustave Charpentier,  Edouard Lalo  ... 
    Performer:  Rosa Ponselle,  Emmy Destinn,  Lawrence Tibbett,  Enrico Caruso  ... 
    Conductor:  Erno Rapée,  Carlo Sabajno,  Rosario Bourdon,  Alberto Erede  ... 
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  • 83.
    Great Voices Of The Past - The Sopranos
    Great Voices Of The Past - The Sopranos
    Label: Opera D'oro   Catalog: 8013 Release Date: 07/01/2003   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Léo Delibes,  Giuseppe Verdi,  Georges Bizet,  Giacomo Puccini  ... 
    Performer:  Amelita Galli-Curci,  Claudia Muzio,  Conchita Supervia,  Magda Olivero  ... 
    Conductor:  Ugo Tansini,  Fritz Stiedry,  Hector Panizza,  Richard Kraus  ... 
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  • 84.
    Lebendige Vergangenheit - Marie-luise Schilp
    Lebendige Vergangenheit - Marie-luise Schilp
    Label: Preiser Records   Catalog: 89563 Release Date: 02/25/2003   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Engelbert Humperdinck,  Wilhelm Kienzl,  Giacomo Puccini,  Otto Nicolai  ... 
    Performer:  Marie-Luise Schilp,  Erna Berger,  Irma Beilke,  Helge Rosvaenge
    Conductor:  Arthur Rother,  Arthur Grüber,  Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt,  Winfried Zillig  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra,  Berlin Deutsche Oper Orchestra,  Berlin State Opera Orchestra  ... 
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  • 85.
    Bizet: Carmen - Highlights / Sinopoli, Larmore, Moser, Et Al
    Bizet: Carmen - Highlights / Sinopoli, Larmore, Moser, Et Al
    Label: Apex   Catalog: 48727 Release Date: 02/18/2003   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Georges Bizet
    Performer:  Jennifer Larmore,  Thomas Moser,  Angela Gheorghiu,  Samuel Ramey
    Conductor:  Giuseppe Sinopoli
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Bavarian State Orchestra,  Bavarian State Opera Chorus
    CD: $8.99
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  • 86.
    Opera Obsession! Act Ii - Opera D'oro's Greatest Hits
    Opera Obsession! Act Ii - Opera D'oro's Greatest Hits
    Label: Opera D'oro   Catalog: 1002 Release Date: 02/04/2003   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi,  Vincenzo Bellini,  François Boieldieu,  Giacomo Meyerbeer  ... 
    Performer:  Giuliano Cianella,  Piero Cappuccilli,  Maria Callas,  Nicolai Gedda  ... 
    Conductor:  Carlos Kleiber,  Tullio Serafin,  Jean Fournet,  Henry Lewis  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Milan Teatro alla Scala Orchestra,  Italian Radio Symphony Orchestra Rome,  Hilversum Radio Chorus  ... 
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  • 87.
    Lebendige Vergangenheit - Gladys Swarthout
    Lebendige Vergangenheit - Gladys Swarthout
    Label: Preiser Records   Catalog: 89561 Release Date: 01/28/2003   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Joseph Canteloube,  Camille Saint-Saëns,  Jules Massenet,  Jacques Offenbach  ... 
    Performer:  Gladys Swarthout,  Ramon Vinay,  Lucielle Browning,  Thelma Votipka
    Conductor:  Jean Paul Morel,  François Morel,  Erich Leinsdorf,  Alexander Smallens  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra
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  • 88.
    Operamania
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 44120 Release Date: 10/29/2002   Number of Discs: 5
    Composer:  Giacomo Puccini,  Georges Bizet,  Umberto Giordano,  Charles Gounod  ... 
    Performer:  Giuseppe Di Stefano,  Marilyn Horne,  Renata Tebaldi,  Carlo Bergonzi  ... 
    Conductor:  Franco Patanè,  Henry Lewis,  Tullio Serafin,  Nello Santi  ... 
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  • 89.
    Maria Callas At Covent Garden, 1962 & 1964
    Maria Callas At Covent Garden, 1962 & 1964
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 77789 Release Date: 08/13/2002  
    Composer:  Georges Bizet,  Giuseppe Verdi,  Giacomo Puccini
    Performer:  Maria Callas,  Dennis Wicks,  Renato Cioni,  Tito Gobbi  ... 
    Conductor:  Georges Prêtre,  Carlo Felice Cillario
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Royal Opera House Covent Garden Orchestra
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  • 90.
    Lebendige Vergangenheit - Risë Stevens
    Lebendige Vergangenheit - Risë Stevens
    Label: Preiser Records   Catalog: 89556 Release Date: 07/30/2002   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Richard Strauss,  Georges Bizet,  Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky,  Ambroise Thomas  ... 
    Performer:  Erna Berger,  Risë Stevens,  Raoul Jobin
    Conductor:  Fritz Reiner,  Georges Sebastian,  Erich Leinsdorf,  Frieder Weissmann
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Metropolitan Opera Orchestra,  Orchestra
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  • 91.
    Marina Domashenko - Opera Arias
    Marina Domashenko - Opera Arias
    Label: Delos   Catalog: 3285 Release Date: 07/31/2001   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Gioachino Rossini,  Johann Strauss Jr.,  Georges Bizet,  Giuseppe Verdi  ... 
    Performer:  Marina Domashenko
    Conductor:  Constantine Orbelian
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Russian Philharmonic Orchestra
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  • 92.
    Marina Domashenko - Opera Arias
    Marina Domashenko - Opera Arias
    Label: Delos   Catalog: 3285 Release Date: 07/31/2001   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Gioachino Rossini,  Johann Strauss Jr.,  Georges Bizet,  Giuseppe Verdi  ... 
    Performer:  Marina Domashenko
    Conductor:  Constantine Orbelian
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Russian Philharmonic Orchestra
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  • 93.
    Lebendige Vergangenheit - Maria Olszewska
    Lebendige Vergangenheit - Maria Olszewska
    Label: Preiser Records   Catalog: 89526 Release Date: 04/24/2001   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Georges Bizet,  Giuseppe Verdi,  Johannes Brahms,  Franz Schubert  ... 
    Performer:  Genia Guszalewicz,  Else Knepel,  Maria Olszewska,  Emil Schipper  ... 
    Conductor:  Leo Blech,  Fritz Zweig,  Sir John Barbirolli
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Berlin State Opera Orchestra,  Orchestra
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  • 94.
    A Night At The Opera / Caballe, Corelli, Tebaldi, Et Al
    A Night At The Opera / Caballe, Corelli, Tebaldi, Et Al
    Label: Lifestyles   Catalog: 215002 Release Date: 01/16/2001   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Gioachino Rossini,  Ruggero Leoncavallo,  Giuseppe Verdi,  Georges Bizet  ... 
    Performer:  Luigi Alva,  Sesto Bruscantini,  Fiorenza Cossotto,  Richard Tucker  ... 
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  • 95.
    Ira Malaniuk - Arien Und Lieder
    Ira Malaniuk - Arien Und Lieder
    Label: Preiser Records   Catalog: 90428 Release Date: 12/19/2000   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Traditional,  Taras Shevchenko,  M. Voloshyn,  Mykola Lysenko  ... 
    Performer:  Ira Malaniuk,  N. Kupdehraben
    Conductor:  Andriy Hnatyszyn,  Hans Swarowsky
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Orchestra,  Saint Barbara Church Choir of Vienna,  Vienna Volksoper Orchestra
    CD: $18.99
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  • 96.
    The Best Of Opera Vol 5
    The Best Of Opera Vol 5
    Label: Naxos   Catalog: 8554683 Release Date: 11/14/2000   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Gioachino Rossini,  Giuseppe Verdi,  Gaetano Donizetti,  Umberto Giordano  ... 
    CD: $9.99
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  • 97.
    Maria Callas - The Legend
    Maria Callas - The Legend
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 57057 Release Date: 10/24/2000   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Gioachino Rossini,  Gaetano Donizetti,  Georges Bizet,  Camille Saint-Saëns  ... 
    Performer:  Maria Callas,  Raphäel Arié,  Tito Gobbi,  Jane Berbié  ... 
    Conductor:  Alceo Galliera,  Tullio Serafin,  Georges Prêtre,  Franco Ghione  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Philharmonia Orchestra,  Florence Maggio Musicale Chorus,  Florence Maggio Musicale Orchestra  ... 
    CD: $15.99
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  • 98.
    Opera - Bizet: Carmen (Highlights) / Frühbeck De Burgos
    Opera - Bizet: Carmen (Highlights) / Frühbeck De Burgos
    Label: Emi Seraphim   Catalog: 74127 Release Date: 10/24/2000   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Georges Bizet
    Performer:  Jon Vickers,  Grace Bumbry,  Kostas Paskalis,  Bernard Gontcharenko  ... 
    Conductor:  Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Paris Opera Chorus,  National Theater Opera Orchestra of Paris
    CD: $8.99
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  • 99.
    Waldoper Zoppot - The Bayreuth Of The North - 99 Singers
    Waldoper Zoppot - The Bayreuth Of The North - 99 Singers
    Label: Preiser Records   Catalog: 89406 Release Date: 10/24/2000   Number of Discs: 4
    Composer:  Engelbert Humperdinck,  Carl Maria von Weber,  Ruggero Leoncavallo,  Richard Wagner  ... 
    Performer:  Claire Dux,  Robert Hager,  Tiana Lemnitz,  Ludwig Hofmann  ... 
    On sale! $81.98
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  • 100.
    Popular Music From Tv Film & Opera
    Popular Music From Tv Film & Opera
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 5570502 Release Date: 10/16/2000   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Gaetano Donizetti,  Gioachino Rossini,  Georges Bizet,  Camille Saint-Saëns  ... 
    Performer:  Tito Gobbi,  Raphäel Arié,  Maria Callas,  Nadine Sautereau  ... 
    Conductor:  Tullio Serafin,  Alceo Galliera,  Georges Prêtre,  Franco Ghione  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Florence Maggio Musicale Orchestra,  Florence Maggio Musicale Chorus,  Philharmonia Orchestra  ... 
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