Introduction to Opera
Compare the characters of Carmen and Micaëla in Carmen. What are the differences between them, how is this expressed in the music, and do you think the outcome is inevitable?
Introduction
Bizet's Carmen is an Opera in four acts, first performed at the Opéra-Comique in Paris on 3 March with a plot based on the 1845 novella by Mérimée. Today it stands as one of the most popular french operas of all time.The Opera explores the relationship between the enchanting Carmen and the passionate Don Jose. In this essay i will investigate the characters of Carmen and Micaëla, their differences and similarities, and how Bizet developed these characters along the narrative arc through music. I will begin by first investigating the …show more content…
She personifies innocence and purity.(Kertesz/ Christoforidis,2008)
Introduction of characters through Music
The relationship between Carmen and Don Jose is a passionate one,
When the Character of Carmen is introduced, in the Habanera, the nature of her character is quite apparent. The Habanera, or "L'amour est un oiseau rebelle" ("Love is a rebellious bird"), is one of the most famous arias from Carmen. As Carmen enters in Act 1 scene 5, the mezzo soprano, The aria takes the form of a descending scale followed by the same phrase in major and minor keys. This technique emphasizes the meaning of the lyrics, which are that love is untamable, a sentiment which is expressed throughout the Opera.(Cantoni)
The music played as Miceala enters is also chromatic. Chromatic movement is often associated with the Femme Fatale, and it is quite apparent that the soldiers who she talks to are enchanted by her. However through what she says to them we realize quite swiftly that the is no Carmen, and has no interest in perusing the role of Femme Fatale.
The Outcome of the
Compare the characters of Carmen and Micaëla in Carmen. What are the differences between them, how is this expressed in the music, and do you think the outcome is inevitable?
Introduction
Bizet's Carmen is an Opera in four acts, first performed at the Opéra-Comique in Paris on 3 March with a plot based on the 1845 novella by Mérimée. Today it stands as one of the most popular french operas of all time.The Opera explores the relationship between the enchanting Carmen and the passionate Don Jose. In this essay i will investigate the characters of Carmen and Micaëla, their differences and similarities, and how Bizet developed these characters along the narrative arc through music. I will begin by first investigating the …show more content…
She personifies innocence and purity.(Kertesz/ Christoforidis,2008)
Introduction of characters through Music
The relationship between Carmen and Don Jose is a passionate one,
When the Character of Carmen is introduced, in the Habanera, the nature of her character is quite apparent. The Habanera, or "L'amour est un oiseau rebelle" ("Love is a rebellious bird"), is one of the most famous arias from Carmen. As Carmen enters in Act 1 scene 5, the mezzo soprano, The aria takes the form of a descending scale followed by the same phrase in major and minor keys. This technique emphasizes the meaning of the lyrics, which are that love is untamable, a sentiment which is expressed throughout the Opera.(Cantoni)
The music played as Miceala enters is also chromatic. Chromatic movement is often associated with the Femme Fatale, and it is quite apparent that the soldiers who she talks to are enchanted by her. However through what she says to them we realize quite swiftly that the is no Carmen, and has no interest in perusing the role of Femme Fatale.
The Outcome of the