Description:

Pros:

• Although Teresa Berganza may have lacked the heft of other mezzos who assumed the title part, she creates a fully-realized Carmen who is sensual without letting that become her defining characteristic.
• Placido Domingo’s red-hot José nearly sets the stage ablaze in the final scene.
• Leona Mitchell delivers a heart-melting Micaëla.
• Tom Krause is an attractive Escamillo without overdoing the machismo.
• Having a conductor like Claudio Abbado in the pit goes a long way in displaying the understated genius of Bizet’s score.

Cons:

• None to mention.

In Stereo

OD 11613-2