![Bizet/Hammerstein: Carmen Jones [London Cast Recording]](https://images-eu.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51pQ46YOtRL._AC_UL200_SR200,200_.jpg)
I used this one as a gift, and I have not heard this CD. However, I have heard the tapes that form the base of the recording innumerable times, even to the extent that I have a hard time accepting anyone but Callas as Carmencita.
To me it is the ultimate performance, even Don Jose (Nikolaj Gedda) also performs brilliantly.
I must buy an additional copy for myself soon.
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This item: Bizet: Carmen (1964) - Maria Callas
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in this set of products- Verdi: La TraviataJoan Sutherland Luciano Pavarotti Matteo Manuguerra The London Opera Chorus National Philharmonic Orchestra Richard BonyngeAudio CD
Top reviews from United Kingdom
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- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 March 2016
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 May 2015
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 February 2015
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 September 2015
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 February 2020
Top reviews from other countries
- RicardoReviewed in the United States on 3 February 2022
an idiosyncratic performance presented with the best sonics ever
Let me begin by stating that “Best” is very subjective, so I’m not going to declare this or any other recording as THE one to get. What I will say is that Callas turns the acting up to 11 inhabiting the Carmen character in a unique way. The result is a more three-dimensional Carmen with wider emotional range. Callas may or may not be Carmen, but in this performance Carmen is definitely Callas. Having lived in Paris for years her French is also better than most, although some vowels get weird when she has to reach (eg: tra-la-la turns into tro-lu-lu). While Callas is most definitely the star, the surrounding cast is all quite good, particularly Massard bringing plenty of swagger. While Gedda is a respectable José, put up against Massard it’s no wonder Carmen dumps him. Gedda is no slouch but he has to carry an awful lot of weight and frankly I think he did better in the recording with de los Ángeles a few years earlier. Guiot captures Micaëlas’ charm without rendering her as a weakling. Prêtre’s direction is very French, with tempos never letting things drag yet also never rushed, lovely balances between parts, and attention to detail.an idiosyncratic performance presented with the best sonics everRicardo
Reviewed in the United States on 3 February 2022
The remastered sound quality is fantastic, with nice dynamics, impressive depth, and very little tape noise. There’s a clarity to the orchestra sound compared to previous editions that upon hearing this one it’s like a blanket has been removed from over your speakers. The lone downside of this newfound clarity is some of the edits are more obvious now than before.
The packaging is minimal with the two discs in a single-space jewel case and a single-fold “booklet” with a handful of notes. Not a big deal for me since I also own the original very luxe lp set complete with not only a libretto & translations but also Merrimée’s novella! :) At least they kept the original cover artwork.
Overall this disc is definitely a winner, and the remastering is a revelation. Whether you’re a newcomer to this opera, or you want to know what all the fuss is about over Maria Callas, or have different recording and just want to try a new one, you can’t go wrong with this set.
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