Bizet : Carmen [Highlights]

This set of excerpts from Bizet's perennial favorite comes from the soundtrack of what is probably the finest film of an opera ever made, the production by Francesco Rosi. Julia Migenes is a soprano Carmen, not the usual mezzo, but her lustiness and vivid word-painting put her in the top rank of Carmens even if she lacks the correct vocal weight for the part. Domingo's Don José is by now familiar, but this is probably the best of the three times he's recorded the role; indeed, his final act desperation is something to behold. Faith Esham is dreary as Micaela, but Ruggero Raimondi sings a dangerously appealing Escamillo. Lorin Maazel does some very odd, unexpected things with tempi (they didn't seem so odd in the film--maybe you had to have been there), but he still holds the opera together (as well as one can with highlights, that is). All told, this is exciting--and recommended.