first performed on 3 March 1875. It was not at first particularly
successful and Bizet knew nothing of its later success as he died before
its initial run was concluded. The opera tells the story of the downfall
of Don José, a naive soldier seduced by the fiery gypsy Carmen (first
played by Célestine Galli-Marié, pictured in costume). José abandons
his childhood sweetheart and deserts from his military duties, yet loses
Carmen's love to the glamorous toreador Escamillo after which José
kills her in a jealous rage. The depictions of proletarian life,
immorality and lawlessness, and the tragic outcome, broke new ground in
French opera, and after the premiere most reviews were critical. Carmen
initially gained its reputation outside France, and was not revived in
Paris until 1883; thereafter it rapidly acquired celebrity at home and
abroad, and continues to be one of the most frequently performed operas.
The music of Carmen has been widely acclaimed for its brilliance of
melody, harmony, atmosphere and orchestration, and for the skill with
which Bizet represented musically the emotions and suffering of his
characters.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carmen>
_______________________________
Today's selected anniversaries:
1652:
Dutch sailor Jan van Riebeeck established the first permanent
European settlement in South Africa at what eventually became known as
Cape Town.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Town>
1793:
French Revolution: The Committee of Public Safety was
established, and would become the de facto executive government during
the forthcoming Reign of Terror.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Committee_of_Public_Safety>
1808:
John Jacob Astor founded the American Fur Company, the profits
from which would make him the United States' first multi-millionaire.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Jacob_Astor>
1893:
The Salt Lake Temple, the largest of more than 140 temples of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was dedicated in Salt
Lake City.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_Lake_Temple>
2010:
Rebels from the Communist Party of India (Maoist) ambushed a
Central Reserve Police Force convoy in Dantewada district, India,
killing 76 CRPF officers.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_2010_Maoist_attack_in_Dantewada>
_____________________________
Wiktionary's word of the day:
lek:
(biology) An aggregation of male animals for the purposes of courtship
and display.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/lek>
___________________________
Wikiquote quote of the day:
No one could have less faith in the absolute and definitive
importance of the work created by man, because I believe that this world
is nothing but a dream.
--Gustave Moreau
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Gustave_Moreau>
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