Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 01 | Carmen And Back To The Beginning | 20120312 | Georges Bizet's Carmen is reputed to have had a disastrous opening night, but as Donald Macleod discovers in today's programme, it wasn't quite as simple as that. Although by the end of that performance the critical reception was negative enough to deeply upset the composer, there were times during the premiere when it seemed as if Carmen would turn out to be the triumph that Bizet had wanted for so long. We trace his musical development back to its roots and hear some of his earliest works, including the Symphony in C, written when Bizet was just 17. Donald Macleod traces Bizet's musical development back to its roots. | |
| 2012 | 02 | Bizet In Rome | 20120313 | Donald Macleod focuses on the life and work of Georges Bizet. In today's programme we follow the young Bizet to Rome after he won the big prize at the Paris Conservatoire. Once there, Bizet set about shrugging off the influence of his mentor, Charles Gounod, as well as the strict rules imposed by the Prix de Rome. Bizet's years in Italy were fruitful and we'll hear some of the many works he began there, as well as more from his most famous opera Carmen, with a twist. Donald Macleod follows the young Bizet to Rome after his prize at the Paris Conservatoire. | |
| 2012 | 03 | Back To Paris | 20120314 | Donald Macleod continues his exploration of the life and work of Georges Bizet. The years after Bizet's return from Rome are characterised by false starts and an anxious self-doubt. He abandoned many grand projects and those stage works he completed met with a decidedly lukewarm reception. In this programme we'll hear from three of Bizet's operas on the way to Carmen - La Jolie Fille de Perth, Djamileh and The Pearl Fishers - as well as a version of Carmen unlike any other. Producer Martin Williams. Donald Macleod focuses on the years after Bizet's return from Rome. | |
| 2012 | 04 | Devotion To The Dramatic | 20120315 | Donald Macleod continues his look at the life and work of Georges Bizet. The composer suffered from ill health all his life - a condition not helped by a string of critical failures. It propelled Bizet to search for some philosophy or faith which would sustain him. And he seemed to find it, writing to a friend: an extraordinary change is taking place in me. I am changing my skin, both as an artist and as a man. Despite these changes, Bizet remained steadfast in his commitment to writing for the stage throughout his life. In this programme we hear a Russian take on Carmen and we meet the beguiling girl from Arles, L'Arlesienne. Donald Macleod on Bizet's later life, when he remained committed to writing for the stage. | |
| 2012 | 05 LAST | Carmen, Tragedy And Then Triumph | 20120316 | On the 3rd of March 1875 Bizet was invested with the ribbon of a knight of Legion of Honour, France's highest cultural distinction. The date was not insignificant: that very evening, his new opera Carmen would have its premiere at the Opera-Comique. The Parisian press would go on to savage Carmen, and within weeks the composer was dead. Donald Macleod tells the story of Bizet's final months. | |
| 2017 | 01 | The Boy From Montmartre | 20170612 | Despite writing what is possibly the best known opera in the world, Alexandre C退sar Leopold Bizet would seldom enjoy success during his lifetime. (He never even got to use all his given names, but instead was known as 'Georges'!) A man of multiple love affairs who became devoted to his neurotic wife; a superb pianist who studiously avoided the concert stage; a man for ever associated with Spain, even though he'd never been there - George Bizet is a mass of contradictions. As well as composing what is arguably the world's best known and most popular opera, Bizet also composed some spectacular flops. Always seeking popular as well as critical success, that was the very thing that eluded him during his lifetime. And yet, despite the caustic discouragement of Parisian reviewers, Bizet wrote songs and operas of astonishing beauty, even if the plots and libretti didn't always match the composer's dramatic sense. Donald Macleod recounts Bizet's humble origins as the son of a hairdresser and self-appointed singing teacher. Entering the Paris Conservatoire, he made rapid progress under Charles Gounod, writing a delightful symphony, and competing for the prestigious Prix de Rome, with the chance to travel to the Eternal City and enjoy the sights and sounds of Italy. Horowitz Variations on a Theme from Bizet's opera 'Carmen Vladimir Horowitz, piano Symphony in C Orchestre de Paris Paavo J䀀rvi, conductor Le Docteur Miracle (Scene 7, Quartet) Marie-B退n退dicte soprano (Souquet), Laurette Isabelle Druet mezzo (Veronique), J退r䀀me Billy baritone (Pasquin) and Pierre-Yves Pruvot baritone (Le Padestat) Orchestre Lyrique de Region Avignon Provence Samuel Jean, conductor Clovis et Clotilde Scene 3 - Pri耀re Katarina Jovanovic soprano (Clotilde) Choeur Regional Nord-Pas-de-Calais Jean-Claude Casadesus, conductor. Exploring Bizet's humble origins as the son of a hairdresser and singing teacher. | |
| 2017 | 02 | The Rome Years | 20170612 | 20170613 (R3) | To enter the prestigious Prix de Rome was no mean undertaking, and Bizet did it twice, succeeding on his second attempt. A man of multiple love affairs who became devoted to his neurotic wife; a superb pianist who studiously avoided the concert stage; a man for ever associated with Spain, even though he'd never been there - George Bizet is a mass of contradictions. As well as composing what is arguably the world's best known and most popular opera - Carmen - Bizet also composed some spectacular flops. Always seeking popular as well as critical success, that was the very thing that eluded him during his lifetime. And yet, despite the caustic discouragement of Parisian reviewers, Bizet wrote songs and operas of astonishing beauty, even if the plots and libretti didn't always match the composer's dramatic sense. In today's episode George Bizet experiences the sights, sounds and indeed smells of Rome, living in the Villa Medici alongside artists, poets and sculptors. The only condition for this student grant was that he would send back to Paris a composition to prove his diligence in pursuit of his art. Not that Bizet would forego all worldly pleasures in the single-minded pursuit of that endeavour. Ronde turque (3 Esquisses musicales) Per Setrak, piano Tu rex gloriae, Christe (Te Deum) Katarina Jovanovic, soprano Philippe Do, tenor Choeur Regional Nord/Pas-de-Calais Orchestre National de Lille Jean-Claude Casadesus, conductor Don Procopio, Act 2 (excerpt) Mady Mespl退, soprano (Donna Bettina) Alain Vanzo, tenor (Don Odoardo) Jules Bastin, bass (Don Procopio) Choeur et Orchestre Lyrique Bruno Amaducci, conductor Roma: Suite for Orchestra Orchestre de Paris Paavo J䀀rvi, conductor. Donald Macleod focuses on Bizet's experiencing the sights, sounds and smells of Rome. |
| 2017 | 03 | Pearl Fishing In Paris | 20170614 | After the prize of staying in Rome with a full student grant, Bizet must return to Paris and make his own way in the world. A man of multiple love affairs who became devoted to his neurotic wife; a superb pianist who studiously avoided the concert stage; a man for ever associated with Spain, even though he'd never been there - George Bizet is a mass of contradictions. As well as composing what is arguably the world's best known and most popular opera - Carmen - Bizet also composed some spectacular flops. Always seeking popular as well as critical success, that was the very thing that eluded him during his lifetime. And yet, despite the caustic discouragement of Parisian reviewers, Bizet wrote songs and operas of astonishing beauty, even if the plots and libretti didn't always match the composer's dramatic sense. In today's episode, Bizet returns from Italy to rush to his mother's sickbed. He comforts her, and he in turn is comforted by his mother's nurse - by whom he fathers a son. Despite his prodigious gifts as a pianist (praised by no less a genius than Franz Liszt) Bizet studiously avoids the concert platform, instead eking out a living through proof-reading, writing humdrum piano transcriptions and teaching piano. He will also write The Pearl Fishers. Nocturne in F major Julia Severus, piano La marguerite a ferm退 sa corolle (from Vasco da Gama) Joan Sutherland, soprano Swiss Romande Orchestra Richard Bonynge, conductor Les Pꀀcheurs de Perles (Act 2, excerpt) Pierrette Alarie, soprano (L退la) Leopold Simoneau, tenor (Nadir) Orchestre des Concerts Lamoureux Jean Fournet, conductor Ivan IV, Act 2 (excerpt) Paul Gay, bass (Temryuk), Julian Gavi, tenor (Igor) Orchestre National de France Michael Schonwandt, conductor Venise Julia Severus, piano. Donald Macleod on Bizet's having to return to Paris and make his own way in the world. | |
| 2017 | 04 | Marriage And Mistresses | 20170615 | Despite painful critical notices, and despite a reputation for sexual impropriety, Bizet resolves to settle down and marry his teacher's daughter. A man of multiple love affairs who became devoted to his neurotic wife; a superb pianist who studiously avoided the concert stage; a man for ever associated with Spain, even though he'd never been there - George Bizet is a mass of contradictions. As well as composing what is arguably the world's best known and most popular opera - Carmen - Bizet also composed some spectacular flops. Always seeking popular as well as critical success, that was the very thing that eluded him during his lifetime. And yet, despite the caustic discouragement of Parisian reviewers, Bizet wrote songs and operas of astonishing beauty, even if the plots and libretti didn't always match the composer's dramatic sense. Donald Macleod recounts Bizet's struggles to make a living as a successful operatic composer, who agrees to set a novel he actively detests: Sir Walter Scott's Fair Maid of Perth - complete with improbable mad scenes, a gypsy and songs in praise of the Scottish winter! Despite his various mistresses, the composer resolves to settle down and marry the girl of his dreams, Genevi耀ve Hal退vy, the daughter of his esteemed teacher. The only problem is, how settled will his life be with a young woman who's distinctly unhinged after her own mother blames her for the death of her sister? Adieu de l'h䀀tesse arabe Cecilia Bartoli, soprano Myung-Whun Chung, piano La Jolie Fille de Perth (Act 1, excerpt) June Anderson, soprano Margarita Zimmermann, mezzo (Catherine Glover) Alfredo Kraus, tenor (Henry Smith) Gino Quilico, baritone (Le Duc de Rothsay) Gabriel Bacquier bass ( Simon Glover) Jos退 van Dam, bass (Ralph) Nouvel Orchestre Philharmonique Georges Prꀀtre, conductor Le Grillon; Guitare; Ma vie a son secret Ann Murray, mezzo-soprano Graham Johnson, piano Jeux d'enfants (excerpts) 1. L'Escarpolette 2. La Toupie 3. La Poup退e 4. Les Cheveux de bois 12. Le Bal Mona & Rica Bard, piano duet. How Bizet resolved to marry his teacher's daughter, despite his many affairs and setbacks. | |
| 2017 | 05 LAST | The Final Act | 20170616 | The choice of libretto was his, as was the choice of singer. So what could possibly go wrong with the first night of Carmen? Donald Macleod concludes his account of the life and work of George Bizet. A man of multiple love affairs who became devoted to his neurotic wife; a superb pianist who studiously avoided the concert stage; a man for ever associated with Spain, even though he'd never been there - George Bizet is a mass of contradictions. As well as composing what is arguably the world's best known and most popular opera - Carmen - Bizet also composed some spectacular flops. Always seeking popular as well as critical success, that was the very thing that eluded him during his lifetime. And yet, despite the caustic discouragement of Parisian reviewers, Bizet wrote songs and operas of astonishing beauty, even if the plots and libretti didn't always match the composer's dramatic sense. In today's concluding episode, we find Bizet exploring an exotic eastern setting with his opera Djamileh and experiencing the joys of parenthood, as his wife gives birth to a son. Despite setbacks at the theatre, he enjoys a rare taste of success as the music to the melodrama L'Arl退sienne starts to enjoy an independent existence away from the theatre. And finally, making the bold choice of the novella Carmen for a theme, Bizet strives to bring his final masterpiece to the stage. Overture (Djamileh) Münchner Rundfunkorchester Lamberto Gardelli, conductor Nour Eddin, roi de Lahore', from Djamileh Huguette Tourangeau, soprano Orchestre de la Suisse Romande Richard Bonynge, conductor L'Arl退sienne Suite (ed. Hogwood) Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Christopher Hogwood, conductor Tarantelle Cecilia Bartoli, soprano Myung Whun Chung, piano Carmen (Act 4) Marina Domashenko, soprano (Carmen) Andrea Bocelli, tenor (Don Jos退) Bryn Terfel, bass-baritone (Escamillo) Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France Myung Whun Chung, conductor. Donald Macleod focuses on how Bizet brought his masterpiece Carmen to the stage. | |
| 2023 | Reality Bites | 20230322 | Bizet returns to Paris determined to conquer the city's opera houses. Plus, in Act 2 of Carmen, our heroine seems to be falling for Jos退, but several others are competing for her attention. With Donald Macleod. Georges Bizet's story ought to have been a very straightforward one. It was clear to everyone who met him just how brilliantly and excitingly talented he was. He was also fortunate to live and work in Paris, a city laden with musical opportunities in the mid-19th century. This week, Donald Macleod shows how Bizet's life proved more challenging and event-filled than anyone might have expected - and that success can never be guaranteed! Throughout the week, Donald also guides us through Bizet's most celebrated work, Carmen - an opera famous for its Spanish heat, fractured passions and fabulous tunes. Today, Bizet realises that, if he's going to make it as an opera composer, he'll need to win the approval of Paris's powerful theatre impresarios. He produces what's become one of his most beloved melodies, his Pearl Fishers duet, but will it impress the right people? Plus, we reach Act 2 of Carmen and meet the flamboyant bullfighter, Escamillo, who introduces himself with the famous Toreador's chorus. Les Pꀀcheurs de Perles: Pr退lude & Chorus `Sur la gr耀ve en feu où dort le flot bleu` Les Cris de Paris Orchestre National de Lille conducted by Alexandre Bloch Vasco da Gama: Aria, `Ouvre ton Coeur` Olga Peretyatko (soprano) NDR Sinfonieorchester, conducted by Enrique Mazzola Les Pꀀcheurs de Perles: Duet,`Au fond du temple saint` Cyrille Dubois, tenor (Nadir) Florian Sempey, baritone (Zurga) Carmen (excerpts from Act 2) Angela Gheorghiu, soprano (Carmen) Roberto Alagna, tenor (Don Jos退), Thomas Hampson, bass-baritone (Escamillo) Elizabeth Vidal, soprano (Frasquita) Isabelle Cals, soprano (Merc退d耀s) Nicolas Cavallier, bass-baritone (Zuniga) Ludovic T退zier, baritone (Moral耀s) Nicolas Rivenq, baritone (Le Dancare) Yann Beuron, tenor (Le Remendado) Choeur 'Les ɀl退ments Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse, conducted by Michel Plasson Carmen is falling for Jose, but she's soon distracted by another man! With Donald Macleod. | ||
| 2023 | Roman Holiday | 20230321 | Bizet's naive hero, Don Jos退, falls under Carmen's alluring spell. With Donald Macleod. Georges Bizet's story ought to have been a very straightforward one. It was clear to everyone who met him just how brilliantly and excitingly talented he was. He was also fortunate to live and work in Paris, a city laden with musical opportunities in the mid-19th century. This week, Donald Macleod shows how Bizet's life proved more challenging and event-filled than anyone might have expected - and that success can never be guaranteed! Throughout the week, Donald also guides us through Bizet's most celebrated work, Carmen - an opera famous for its Spanish heat, fractured passions and fabulous tunes. Today, Donald follows Bizet to Rome where, living way from home for the first time, he's determined to gorge himself on all the many pleasures that Italy has to offer a young man. Plus we reach the second part of Carmen's Act 1: Corporal Don Jos退 plans to marry his sweetheart, but he finds himself unable to resist when the gypsy temptress, Carmen, demands his allegiance. L'Arlesienne Suite No. 2 (arr. Guirand), IV. Farandole Musiciens du Louvre, Les, Grenoble Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Marc Minkowski Te Deum,, III. Te Ergo Quaesumus & IV. Fiat Misericordia Tua Angela Maria Blasi, soprano Christian Elsner, tenor Münchner MotettenChor Munich Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Hans Rudolf Z怀beley Carmen (extracts from Act 1) Angela Gheorghiu, soprano (Carmen) Roberto Alagna, tenor (Don Jos退) Inva Mula, soprano (Mica뀀la) Nicolas Cavallier, bass-baritone (Zuniga) Choeur 'Les ɀl退ments Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse, conducted by Michel Plasson Roma, II. Allegro Vivace & III. Andante molto Orchestre de Paris, conducted by Paavo J䀀rvi Bizet's naive hero, Don Jose, falls under Carmen's alluring spell. With Donald Macleod. | ||
| 2023 | 01 | Great Expectations | 20230320 | The musical circles of Paris are astounded by a brilliant young talent. Plus, Donald Macleod introduces us to Carmen, Bizet's most feted operatic creation. Georges Bizet's story ought to have been a very straightforward one. It was clear to everyone who met him just how brilliantly and excitingly talented he was. He was also fortunate to live and work in Paris, a city laden with musical opportunities in the mid-19th century. This week, Donald Macleod shows how Bizet's life proved more challenging and event-filled than anyone might have expected - and that success can never be guaranteed! Throughout the week, Donald also guides us through Bizet's most celebrated work, Carmen - an opera famous for its Spanish heat, fractured passions and fabulous tunes. Today, we see how Bizet's talent quickly transported him from middle-class obscurity into Paris's most elevated musical circles. Plus, in our first encounter with Carmen, we're introduced to the title character: a fiery gypsy girl who bewitches all around her, yet who declares she cares nothing for love. Carmen (extracts from Act 1) Angela Gheorghiu, soprano (Carmen) Roberto Alagna, tenor (Don Jos退) Nicolas Cavallier, bass-baritone (Zuniga) Ludovic T退zier, baritone (Moral耀s) La Lauzeta, Choeur d'enfants de Toulouse Choeur 'Les ɀl退ments Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse, conducted by Michel Plasson Symphony in C, II. Andante & III. Scherzo Orchestre de Paris, conducted by Semyon Bychkov Le Docteur Miracle: Overture Orchestre Lyrique de Region Avignon Provence, Samuel Jean | |
| 2023 | 04 | Love And War | 20230323 | Bizet falls in love and enlists as a soldier. Meanwhile, in Act 3 of Carmen, love turns to regret and recrimination. Presented by Donald Macleod. Georges Bizet's story ought to have been a very straightforward one. It was clear to everyone who met him just how brilliantly and excitingly talented he was. He was also fortunate to live and work in Paris, a city laden with musical opportunities in the mid-19th century. This week, Donald Macleod shows how Bizet's life proved more challenging and event-filled than anyone might have expected - and that success can never be guaranteed! Throughout the week, Donald also guides us through Bizet's most celebrated work, Carmen - an opera famous for its Spanish heat, fractured passions and fabulous tunes. Today, Bizet decides he's ready to marry. The Prussians march towards Paris and he joins the army. In Act 3 of Carmen, corporal Don Jos退 has deserted his post to follow Carmen and her smuggler friends into the mountains. Carmen is quickly tiring of Jos退's attentions, and she's filled with foreboding after seeking their fortune in the tarot cards. La jolie fille de Perth: choeur de la Saint-Valentin (Act 4) Chur de Radio France Nouvel Orchestre Philharmonique, conducted by Georges Prꀀtre Variations chromatiques Julia Severus (piano) Carmen (excerpts from Act 3) Angela Gheorghiu, soprano (Carmen) Roberto Alagna, tenor (Don Jos退), Thomas Hampson, bass-baritone (Escamillo) Inva Mula, soprano (Mica뀀la) Elizabeth Vidal, soprano (Frasquita) Isabelle Cals, soprano (Merc退d耀s) Nicolas Rivenq, baritone (Le Dancare) Yann Beuron, tenor (Le Remendado) Choeur 'Les ɀl退ments Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse, conducted by Michel Plasson Jeux d'enfants: No 3 La poup退e' & No 2 La toupee Katia Lab耀que (piano), Marielle Lab耀que (piano) Bizet becomes a soldier. In Act 3 of Carmen, love turns to regret. With Donald Macleod | |
| 2023 | 05 LAST | Sudden Death | 20230324 | Bizet finally has a hit on his hands, but tragedy lies just around the corner. Plus, we reach Carmen's shocking finale. Presented by Donald Macleod. Georges Bizet's story ought to have been a very straightforward one. It was clear to everyone who met him just how brilliantly and excitingly talented he was. He was also fortunate to live and work in Paris, a city laden with musical opportunities in the mid-19th century. This week, Donald Macleod shows how Bizet's life proved more challenging and event-filled than anyone might have expected - and that success can never be guaranteed! Throughout the week, Donald also guides us through Bizet's most celebrated work, Carmen - an opera famous for its Spanish heat, fractured passions and fabulous tunes. Today we reach the dramatic climax of Bizet's opera, Carmen. Our free-spirited heroine has abandoned her lover to pursue another, but Don Jos退 can't bear to let her go. Events quickly spiral towards catastrophe. Plus, we see how fate intervenes in Bizet's own life and ordains that Carmen will be his final work. Djamileh: Overture Munich Radio Orchestra, conducted by Lamberto Gardelli L'Arlesienne Suite No. 1: I. Prelude & II. Minuetto Musiciens du Louvre, Grenoble Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Marc Minkowski Patrie Overture Orchestre National de France, conducted by Seiji Ozawa Carmen (Act 4) Angela Gheorghiu, soprano (Carmen) Roberto Alagna, tenor (Don Jos退), Thomas Hampson, bass-baritone (Escamillo) Elizabeth Vidal, soprano (Frasquita) Isabelle Cals, soprano (Merc退d耀s) Nicolas Cavallier, bass-baritone (Zuniga) La Lauzeta, Choeur d'enfants de Toulouse Choeur 'Les ɀl退ments Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse, conducted by Michel Plasson Produced by Chris Taylor Tragedy looms for Bizet. Plus, we reach Carmen's shocking finale. With Donald Macleod. |