The arrival of 'Carmen'
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Bizet: 10 facts about the great composer
9. The arrival of 'Carmen'
The production of Bizet's final opera, 'Carmen', was delayed because of fears that its themes of betrayal and murder would offend. In the audience at the opera's premiere were Massenet and Saint-Saëns who loved it. Gounod accused Bizet of plagiarism and much of the press comment was negative. Bizet was convinced that the opera was a failure. Pictured is the 1947 Covent Garden production of 'Carmen'.
