Carmen

Carmen

172 mins | Music | Dec. 12, 1988

This all-star cast is framed by Peter Hall’s gritty, realistic production and conducted by James Levine, who brings out all the surging emotion and gripping drama in Bizet’s score. At the center of the story is Agnes Baltsa, whose smoky mezzo is tailor-made for the gypsy Carmen, an independent woman who glories in obeying only her own rules, but who is haunted by fate. Superstar tenor José Carreras is Don José, the solider from a small town who catches Carmen’s eye and is destroyed by his growing obsession with her. Samuel Ramey is the charismatic matador Escamillo, who lures Carmen away from Don José with tragic result. Leona Mitchell is Micaëla, the simple girl from Don José’s hometown who cannot save him. March 21, 1987 Matinee Broadcast.

Carmen

172 mins | Music | Dec. 12, 1988

Carmen
This all-star cast is framed by Peter Hall’s gritty, realistic production and conducted by James Levine, who brings out all the surging emotion and gripping drama in Bizet’s score. At the center of the story is Agnes Baltsa, whose smoky mezzo is tailor-made for the gypsy Carmen, an independent woman who glories in obeying only her own rules, but who is haunted by fate. Superstar tenor José Carreras is Don José, the solider from a small town who catches Carmen’s eye and is destroyed by his growing obsession with her. Samuel Ramey is the charismatic matador Escamillo, who lures Carmen away from Don José with tragic result. Leona Mitchell is Micaëla, the simple girl from Don José’s hometown who cannot save him. March 21, 1987 Matinee Broadcast.
IMDb rating 8.0
Producers Deutsche Grammophon, The Metropolitan Opera
Original title Carmen
Directors Paul Mills, Brian Large
Writers Henri Meilhac, Ludovic Halévy, Prosper Mérimée

Cast

Agnes Baltsa

as Carmen

José Carreras

as Don José

Samuel Ramey

as Escamillo

Leona Mitchell

as Micaëla

Myra Merritt

as Frasquita

Diane Kesling

as Mercédès

Anthony Laciura

as Remendado

Ara Berberian

as Zuniga

Vernon Hartman

as Morales

Bruce Hubbard

as Dancaire

James Levine

as Conductor