Georges Bizet Edition

Georges Bizet (1838-1875), renowned for his iconic masterpiece Carmen - which still remains one of the most performed operas on stages the world over - left behind a rich and diverse body of work despite his untimely death at just 36. This collection celebrates the genius of one of France's greatest composers, featuring his most beautiful works performed by world-class artists such as Maria Callas, Barbara Hendricks, June Anderson, Magdalena Kožená, Jonas Kaufmann and Simon Rattle. A bonus selection of historic recordings across three CDs offers a glimpse into how Bizet's music has been interpreted over time.

Born in 1838 in Paris, Georges Bizet grew up in a musical family. His father was a singing teacher and his mother a pianist, which set the stage for his early exposure to music.

Bizet entered the prestigious Paris Conservatoire at the age of nine, showcasing prodigious talent as a pianist and composer. He won several prizes, including the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1857 at the age of just 19, allowing him to study in Italy for three years. During his time there, he composed Don Procopio and developed a flair for operatic writing.

Despite his early promise, Bizet struggled to achieve significant recognition during his lifetime, and many of his works failed to gain public approval or were left incomplete. He composed several instrumental pieces and operas, greatly influenced by Gounod, Verdi and Wagner: the Symphony in C, L'Arlésienne, Les Pêcheurs de Perles, La Jolie Fille de Perth… but these achieved only moderate success.

In 1872, the Opéra-Comique commissioned from him Carmen, an opera based on Prosper Mérimée's novella. Premiered in 1875, the opera faced criticism for its controversial themes and unconventional heroine. Tragically, Bizet died of a heart attack at the age of 36, just three months after Carmen's premiere, unaware of the incredible and lasting impact his masterpiece would have.

Posthumously, Carmen gained worldwide acclaim, and Bizet was recognised as a pivotal figure in 19th-century opera. His music, characterised by its melodic richness, vibrant orchestration, and dramatic intensity, is both refined and immediate, striking a rare balance between lightness and tragedy. Bizet works continue to captivate audiences nowadays, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest French composers.

This collection of 16 CDs offers a comprehensive and meticulously curated journey through Bizet's major works, bringing together exceptional performances by top-tier artists:

- Operas: 9 CDs, featuring two versions of Carmen - the legendary 1964 version by Maria Callas and Nicolai Gedda under the baton of Georges Prêtre, and the original version restored by Fritz Oeser in 1964, recorded in 2012 by Simon Rattle with the Berliner Philharmoniker, Magdalena Kožená and Jonas Kaufmann.

- Orchestral Works: 3 CDs

- Piano Music, Songs, Choral Music, and Arrangements: 1½ CDs (including the two Carmen Fantasies his famous opera inspired by both Pablo de Sarasate and Franz Waxman)

- Historical Recordings dating from 1903 (!) to 1943: 2½ CDs

Booklet includes an extensive biography by French specialist François Laurent