"O ma Carmen": Bizet's Fateful Gypsy in Portrayals from 1875 to the Present

by Victoria Etnier Villamil

Overview

"Qu'est-ce que c'est?" (What is it?) mezzo-soprano Celestine Galli-Marie asked when offered the title role in the 1875 premier of Bizet's new opera, Carmen. She was only the first in a long line of performers to ask. In the 140+ years since, each singer has crafted her own portrayal of the inscrutable Gypsy. The famous soprano Geraldine Farrar wrote: "Each one of us probably sees something that the others have not seen--or thinks she does--and that 'something' is her individual Carmen." This book explores the history of operatic portrayals of Bizet's elusive enchantress, tracing the development of vocal and dramatic interpretations from generation to generation around the globe.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781476663241
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	07/06/2017
Pages:	228
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Victoria Etnier Villamil performed as a soprano in opera, concert and recital throughout the United States and Europe for more than two decades, and is the author of a book on American art song and one on the American classical singer. She lives in Philadelphia.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction
 1. “What Is It?”
 2. Breaking Away
 3. North, South, East, West
 4. Home Again
 5. Emma Calvé and the New Realism
 6. More Than the Singing
 7. Farrar, Film and Psychology
 8. In the Time of Dictators
 9. American Idyll
10. Sea Change
11. 100 and Counting
12. Game Change
Appendix A. Alphabetical Listing of Singers Mentioned in the Text
Appendix B. Chronology of Premieres and Significant Performances
Appendix C. Discography
Appendix D. Videography
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

An enormous amount of factual information...an unusual and attractive book that anyone interested in Carmen and her interpreters will find thought-provoking and a pleasure to read”—The Record; “Villamil’s ‘Carmen journey’ is a fascinating and a revealing one. The book is an easy and interesting read and on many an occasion I discovered several patches of info totally new to me...research[ed] thoroughly...anyone with a history of singing, performance practice of the opera itself will find great pleasure in Villamil’s work...recommended”—Opera Nostalgia; “Thoroughly researched and well-written, this book was most informative, both with respect to how each performer developed their portrayal of this well-known character, as well as the historical and geographical contexts which informed their work...a pleasurable, well-written and informative read...highly recommend...wonderful”—Music Reference Services Quarterly; “A fascinating and easy-to-read journey through the various productions and interpretations of the role...revealing and just a smidgen gossipy...an extraordinary amount of research...a good read for connoisseurs of opera singers...recommended”—FanFare; “Based on the idea that each singer brings her own vision to the role of Carmen in Bizet’s opera of the same name, Villamil shows how their portrayals evolved and changed—musically, stylistically, vocally, dramatically, and above all interpretively—from generation to generation and country to country. She also examines how historic events, cultural drifts, and societal upheavals as well as changing vocal styles and performance practices impacted their portrayals. But ultimately, she says, it is the individual singers athat matter: their personalities, temperaments, physical and vocal makeups, minds and sensibilities, and above all their personal connection with the Gypsy Carmen.”—ProtoView; “What a wonderful book. [Villamil] is passionate about her subject and this quality pervades every word she has written. I have loved the journey...and closed the book wishing that I could see her Carmen!”—Frederica von Stade, world-renowned and six-time Grammy nominated American mezzo-soprano.

From the Publisher