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Born into a musical family in 1838, Georges Bizet inherited his parents’ talents, learning to read and write music by age four. Georges had the huge honor of being admitted into the Paris Conservatoire de Musique at nine years old. Bizet continued to awe people when he wrote his first symphony at the age of seventeen for a class assignment at the conservatory. As a city known for high fashion, fine food, and culture, Paris was the perfect place for a young composer because it attracted talented musicians and eager audiences.

As a young man, Bizet worked at the Opéra Comique, where he learned about the backstage, sets, lights, performers, and musicians. However, when the curtain went up for the premier of Carmen, people were shocked and dismayed by the dramatic and risqué story. In fact, Carmen did not gain popularity until after Bizet’s early death at age thirty-seven in 1875. Even though Carmen is now considered a classic in opera repertoire, Georges Bizet died thinking his work was a complete disaster.

Operas by Georges Bizet

• Le docteur Miracle, 1857; Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris
• Don Procopio, 1906; Monte Carlo
• Ivan IV, 1946; Mühringen Castle, Württemberg
• Les pêcheurs de perles, 1863; Théâtre Lyrique, Paris
• La jolie fille de Perth, 1867; Théâtre Lyrique, Paris
• Marlbrough s’en va-t-en guerre, 1867; Théâtre Athénée, Paris
• La coupe du roi de Thulé, (excerpts) 1955; BBC Radio, London
• Noé, 1885; Karlsruhe
• Djamileh, 1872; Opéra-Comique, Paris
• L’Arlésienne, 1872; Théâtre Vaudeville, Paris
• Carmen, 1875; Opéra-Comique, Paris

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