The more conservative critics complained about "Wagnerism" and the subordination of the voice to the noise of the orchestra.Shortly before his death Bizet signed a contract for a production of Despite its deviations from Bizet's original format, and some critical reservations, the 1875 Vienna production was a great success with the city's public. Saison passée ? A brazen and indomitable seductress and a product of social and masculine brutality, she lives life in the fast lane, avid for existence.Carmen (saison 18/19) - Valentine Lemercier (Mercédès), Gabrielle Philiponet (Frasquita), Roberto Tagliavini (Escamillo), Anita Rachvelishvili (Carmen)Carmen (saison 18/19) - François Rougier (Le Remendado), Boris Grappe (Le Dancaïre), Gabrielle Philiponet (Frasquita), Anita Rachvelishvili (Carmen), Valentine Lemercier (Mercédès)Carmen (saison 18/19) - Jean‑François Borras (Don José)Carmen (saison 18/19) - Nicole Car (Micaëla), Jean-François Marras (Don José)Carmen (saison 18/19) - François Lis (Zuniga), Anita Rachvelishvili (Carmen), Jean‑François Borras (Don José)Carmen (saison 18/19) - Anita Rachvelishvili (Carmen)Carmen (saison 18/19) - Anita Rachvelishvili (Carmen)Carmen (saison 18/19) - Anita Rachvelishvili (Carmen)Carmen (saison 18/19) - Gabrielle Philiponet (Frasquita), Roberto Tagliavini (Escamillo)Carmen (saison 18/19) - Gabrielle Philiponet (Frasquita), Boris Grappe (Le Dancaïre), Valentine Lemercier (Mercédès), François Rougier (Le Remendado), Anita Rachvelishvili (Carmen)Carmen (saison 18/19) - Anita Rachvelishvili (Carmen), Jean‑François Borras (Don José)Carmen (saison 18/19) - Anita Rachvelishvili (Carmen), Jean‑François Borras (Don José)Carmen (saison 18/19) - Anita Rachvelishvili (Carmen), Jean‑François Borras (Don José)Carmen (saison 18/19) - Gabrielle Philiponet (Frasquita), Valentine Lemercier (Mercédès)Carmen (saison 18/19) - Roberto Tagliavini (Escamillo), Anita Rachvelishvili (Carmen)Carmen (saison 18/19) - Anita Rachvelishvili (Carmen), Jean‑François Borras (Don José)Carmen (saison 18/19) - Roberto Tagliavini (Escamillo)Carmen (saison 18/19) - Anita Rachvelishvili (Carmen), Jean‑François Borras (Don José)Carmen (saison 18/19) - Anita Rachvelishvili (Carmen), Jean‑François Borras (Don José)Carmen (saison 18/19) - Anita Rachvelishvili (Carmen), Jean‑François Borras (Don José)Carmen en répétition (saison 18/19) - Nicole Car (Micaëla)Carmen en répétition (saison 18/19) - Anita Rachvelishvili (Carmen)Carmen en répétition (saison 18/19) - Anita Rachvelishvili (Carmen)Carmen en répétition (saison 18/19) - Anita Rachvelishvili (Carmen)Carmen en répétition (saison 18/19) - Anita Rachvelishvili (Carmen), Jean‑François Borras (Don José)Carmen en répétition (saison 18/19) - Jean‑François Borras (Don José), Nicole Car (Micaëla)Carmen by G. Bizet - "L'amour est un oiseau rebelle" (Anita Rachvelishvili)Carmen by G. Bizet (Anita Rachvelishvili & Jean‑François Borras)Carmen by G. Bizet - Toreador song (Roberto Tagliavini)Carmen (saison 18/19) - Acte II - Anita Rachvelishvili (Carmen), Jean-François Borras (Don José)Carmen (saison 18/19)- Acte III - A. Rachvelishvili , G. Philiponet, V. LemercierCarmen (saison 18/19) - Acte II - Roberto Tagliavini (Escamillo) Voici la quadrille!"). Bizet died suddenly after the 33rd performance, unaware that the work would achieve international acclaim within the following ten years.

As the factory bell rings, the cigarette girls emerge and exchange banter with young men in the crowd ("La cloche a sonné"). José is left behind on guard duty. As Escamillo leaves he invites everyone to his next bullfight in Seville. She had a blast during the gypsy song, “Les tringles des sistres tintaient,” and exhibited strength and determination during the confrontation with Don Jose at the end of Act two.Most chilling was the isolation and sense of abandonment she portrayed during the card’s scene, “En vain pour éviter les réponses amères,” where she assumes her destiny of dying at Don Jose’s hands. She was the youngest singer ever to open an opera season at La Scala, and this great achievement, which was televised worldwide, turned her into an overnight star.

Finally, the opera ends with Don José cutting Carmen’s throat in the final scene.But Bieito also produces lyrical moments too, like the naked torero practicing under the moonlight during the Act four prelude. By Her voice blended perfectly with Borras during the duet of Act one, and she showcased all her expressive resources and pure legato during her aria “Je dis que rien ne m’épouvante,” which she coronated with a rotund high B.The rest of the cast and extras were all excellent in their respective portrayals; the chorus must also be commended. As Escamillo goes into the arena, Frasquita and Mercédès warn Carmen that José is nearby, but Carmen is unafraid and willing to speak to him.