The name Georges Bizet is synonymous with his brilliant opera Carmen. This work embraced both beauty and vivid ultra-reality and managed to shock even Paris' sophisticated audiences in the 1870s. While Carmen cast of crooks and killers seems tamer by today's standards it remains a compelling and richly romantic work. Sadly, Bizet died not long after its debut and we can only guess in what ways he would further enrich the musical world had he lived a longer life. A renown pianist, his other orchestral works, solo pieces, and operas all show the richness and vibrancy of Carmen, but none can match its artistic triumph.
