Carmen

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Bizet    

Puccini    

Wagner    

Mozart    

Verdi

Georges Bizet (1838-1875)

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The composer of the classic opera "Carmen" was born in 1838 near Paris.

Bizet's first teacher was his father, a noted voice teacher and pianist.

Later he studied at the Paris Conservatory, where one of his instructors

was Gounod. At 19, Bizet won the prestigious Prix de Rome.

Bizet's first opera, "La Maison du Docteur," was written when he was only

14. He wrote "Le Docteur Miracle" in 1857, winning the Prix de Rome. This

piece was later performed at the Bouffes-Parisiens. Bizet used the prize

money from the award to subsidize his stay in Paris. From 1858 to 1860,

Bizet started several operas, but managed to only finish one, "Don

Procopio." This opera, written in 1859, was not put on stage until 1906.

Lacking commercial success, Bizet made his living from teaching the

piano, and as a accompanist for other people's work.

Yet, he still wrote. The 1863 opera, "Les PÐ"Єcheurs de Perles," takes place

in the Orient, and probably contains material from his earlier, unfinished

operas. The opera did not meet with either commercial or critical success.

Hector Berlioz, who praised the opera, was one notable exception.

Nevertheless, Bizet received a commission for another work, the

five-act "Ivan IV" in 1865. Sadly, production on this opera had to be

abandoned after many delays and problems. "Ivan IV" had to wait until 1946

before being received on stage.

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