Carmen: Prelude (No. 1)

While it scandalized Parisian audiences at its premiere by the Op?a-Comique in Paris on March 3rd, 1875, Georges Bizet’s (1838-1875) CARMEN became, a mere decade later, one of the most popular and frequently performed operas in the repertoire. It remains popular today, with songs such as the “Habanera” and “Toreador Song” among the best known of all opera arias. The rousing and popular Prelude to Act I often appears at the beginning of concert programs. Instrumentation: 2(2nd d. Picc).2.2.2: 4.2.3.0: Timp: Perc(2-3): Str (9.8.7.6.5 in set).a