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Georges Bizet(1838-1875). The fame of the french composer
Bizet rests principally on his opera 'Carmen'. It is still
the most popular and vital french opera of the 19th century.
Georges Bizet was born in Paris on Oct. 25, 1838. He
was christened Alexandre-Cesar-Leopold. His Father was teacher was a teacher
of singing. His mother, a giftedpianist, came from a musical family.
Her brother, Francois Delsarte, was also a singing teacher and was influential
in the development of the modren dance. In this artistic family young Georges
had a happy childhood. He displayed musical talent at an early
age. When he was only nine, he entered the great Paris
Conservatory of music. He rapidly developed into a brilliant pianist. While still a
a student he comosed many songs, panio pieces, a little one-act opera comique, and
orchestral works.
At the age of 19 Bizet won the Grand Prix de Rome, a
goverment scholarship. He studied in Rome for three years.
They were happy years, free of financial worries.
In 1860 Bizet returned to Paris. He refused offers of a teaching position
at the conservatory and a career as a concert pianist. He devoted his efforts to
composition instead.
In 1869 Bizet married Genevie Halevy, the daughter of
Jacques Halevy, one of his professors at the conservatory.
They had a son, Jacques, born 1872. During these years Bizet was always poor. He wrote
several opreas, among them 'The pearl Fishers'(premiere 1863) and 'The fair maid of Perth'(1867)
Bizet composed 'Carmen' in 1873 to 1874. The critics were shocked with its realism. The impending diaster mood and
charcterization was startiling.
Three months after the oprea's premiere Bizer died. He was worn out from rehearsals. He died on June 3, 1875.
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