Instant Access To 100,000+ Essays!

1.) Bizet, Georges (1838-1875). “Carmen.” Habanera, (1875) G. Schirmer, Inc., 1937. George Bizet’s “Carmen” is arguably the most popular opera in the world. Comprised of four acts, it is based on the novella of Prosper Merimee’s. The libretto is by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halevy. The first performance was held at the Theatre National de l’Opera in Paris, France on March 3, 1875. Critics were not receptive of Bizet’s opera at first, but as time went on, its success increased to what it is today. This French opera mimics the styles of Spanish Gypsies, known as flamenco. Habanera, the famous aria sung by a gypsy named Carmen, is based on a melody by Sebastian Yradier. The song is based on a dance style, as habanera is a slow dance originated in Havana, Cuba that is in duple meter. Carmen, a mezzo-soprano/dramatic mezzo, comes out of a factory and sings this seductive aria. Ranging from D4 to F#/G 5, Carmen sings of love and its unpredictable actions. 2.) Offenbach, Jacques (1819-1880). “Les Contes d’Hoffmann.” Elle a fui, la tourterelle (1881). G. Schirmer, Inc., 1953. Jacques Offenbach’s “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” is based on the play written by Jules Barbiere and Michel C