Maestro López-Cobos and the Cincinnati Symphony bring the works of Bizet to life with flair. Telarc ensures that the vivacity of the performance and Bizet’s colorful orchestrations are beautifully and powerfully captured to delight the listener.

The three fascinating works presented on this disc collectively span Bizet’s creative life. Symphony No. 1 was written when Bizet was only seventeen years old. Lyrical and elegant, it was used by the great choreographer George Ballanchine for one of his most famous ballets, the Symphony in C, first produced in Paris is 1947.

The music from L’arlésienne (The Girl from Arles) was originally scored for chamber orchestra and was used as incidental music for a play. The First Suite, imaginatively restored by Bizet for full orchestra, is full of vitality. It is as big a hit with today’s audiences as it was when it was first heard in 1867.

The vivid and enticing music from Bizet’s beloved opera, Carmen, was written near the end of the composer’s life. It was not well received at its premiere; most of the audience and critics condemned the music as being too Wagnerian, “lacking in melody,” and “dull and obscure.” The plot was called obscene and the characters uninteresting. Bizet fell ill soon after the opera’s premiere, and died on the evening of its thirty-third performance. It is clear from this recording, however, why Carmen has become so popular and enduring today.