Carmen: Opéra-Comique Version CDR (NO PRINTED MATERIALS)

Bizet's Carmen, the first of eleven complete operas recorded by the Pathé Company, is reissued here for the first time. An important historical document displaying the unique French style of singing, this 2-CD set is the first complete recording of Carmen in French and the only recording with spoken dialogue before 1950. Opéra-Comique's musical director François Ruhlman (1858-1948) leads Marguerite Mérentié (1880-?) as Carmen, alongside legendary opera stars Agustarello Affre (1858-1931) and Henri Albers (1866-1925) who perform brilliantly as Don José and Escamillo. Aline Vallandri (1878-1952) presents a beautifully lyric Micaëla.