Carmen
Label: OPUS ARTE Catalog: OABD7015D Format: Bizet went to his early grave believing Carmen was a failure, though Tchaikovsky predicted it would become the world’s most popular opera, which it did 10 years later. Bizet had contracted to convert the dialog to recitative, and that was how it was performed until this Glyndebourne performance in 2002, which used Bizet’s original dialog version. The spoken dialog fits better with the stage action and French emotions. Bizet’s dialog version was filmed on 17 August 2002, and that was later coded to Blu-Ray. This is an opera performance I would not hesitate to use to demonstrate state of the art in home theater opera. The Glyndebourne stage is a bit small for the action, but soon Carmen’s gypsy soul and balance of fire and tenderness wins one over. The cramped stage and stairs and metal screens add to the tension as the mental struggle for Don Jose’s freedom and Carmen’s capture of his soul from his mother and church proceeds. Sophie von Otter (b.1955) is marvelous. The Blu-Ray image captures her many moods and singing in a close-up experience that seethes with cinema verite. This is Philippe Jordan’s first Glyndebourne recording, and his mannerisms and movements seem exaggerated. The stage color is generally dark—even the Fourth Act at the bull ring. The Blu-Ray image coding handles the dark modes very well but there is some loss of image precision and depth of field. The TrueHD audio track achieves very good image definition and tonal balance in the orchestra, with instrument detail and definition. The extras accompanying the disc supply interesting windows into the music and roleplaying. Knife fighting, dancing, clothing, characters, and the Glyndebourne gardens are all covered. This is a bang-up Blu-Ray disc with exciting, sensual acting and singing from Anne Sophie von Otter and the extra thrill that you are watching a performance very close to what the opening night audience saw in 1875 and others have rarely seen since. Price: $57.98 |