Bizet: Carmen (Highlights)

The conductor Lorin Maazel was a child prodigy, possessed of a photographic memory, who began conducting by the age of eight. His interests and musical tastes were extremely wide, and he often took part in projects to broaden classical music’s appeal. Among these were conducting music for three operatic films, including 1984’s Carmen, the soundtrack of which was named Best Opera Recording at the following year’s Grammys. Accompanied by a cast including Julia Migenes, Plácido Domingo, and Ruggero Raimondi, in addition to the Orchestre National de France, Maazel presides over a dramatic and atmospheric performance of Bizet’s best-loved work. The film probably introduced opera to a whole new audience, and Migenes’ performance of the title role sizzled, something that comes across vividly in this highlights album.