Description
Book SynopsisToday Georges Bizet is most immediately recognized as the composer of the acclaimed opera Carmen. One of the most frequently performed operas for over a century, Carmen explores concepts such as the femme fatale and murderous jealousy with vivacity, color, and a wealth of melody. Yet it is only one act in Bizet''s story. In Bizet, renowned musicologist Hugh Macdonald goes beyond the composer''s most famous opera to take an in-depth look at his entire life and oeuvre. In so doing, Macdonald identifies a number of previously unknown pieces by Bizet, assembling the first comprehensive catalogue of the composer''s work. Incorporating these little-known pieces with a thorough reading of primary sources, Macdonald considers the latest in Bizet scholarship to create a complete biography of the composer. Revealing the true extent of Bizet''s work as arranger and transcriber, Macdonald sheds light on the composer''s complex relationships with his contemporaries, and traces the strange misrepres
Trade ReviewThough best known as a distinguished Berlioz scholar, Hugh Macdonald now reveals himself as wearing a different French hat with no less aplomb. His fine new Master Musicians volume on Georges Bizet adds much to our knowledge of this deeply disappointed composer of operas * Musical Times, Andrew Thompson *
One of Professor Hugh Macdonald's declared aims is 'to set the composer in the context of French music of the Second Empire', and this spledid biography proves that there is no one better qualifies for the task * BBC Music Magazine, Roger Nichols *
Long meditated and meticulously documented, Hugh Macdonald's critical biography of Bizet will surely have no trouble being acclaimed as the definitine work on its subject * Rupert Christiansen, Literary Review *
Table of ContentsPreface ; List of Illustrations ; 1 1838 - 1857: Le Docteur Miracle ; 2 1858 - 1860: Don Procopio ; 3 1860 - 1863: Les Pecheurs de perles ; 4 1864 - 1865: Ivan IV ; 5 1866 - 1867: La Jolie Fille de Perth ; 6 1868 - 1870: La Coupe du Roi de Thule ; 7 1870 - 1872: Djamileh ; 8 1872 - 1873: Don Rodrigue ; 9 1873 - 1875: Carmen ; 10 1875 - 2013: Life After Death ; Appendices ; A. Calendar ; B. List of Works ; C. Personalia ; D. Select Bibliography ; Index
