History Focus
October 25

French composer of piano, vocal, and dramatic music known for the opera Carmen.

Georges Bizet displayed musical talent at an early age. When he was only nine, he entered the great Paris Conservatory of Music. He very quickly developed into a brilliant pianist. While still a student he composed many songs, piano pieces, a little one-act opera comique, and orchestral works.

Bizet composed his Symphony in C when he was 17. But the work would not enter the repertory until well into the 20th century. At the age of 19 Bizet won the Grand Prix de Rome, a government scholarship. When he was 24 he wrote an opera called "Les Pecheurs de perles."

Bizet composed 'Carmen' in 1873-74. It had its world premiere at the Opera-Comique on March 3, 1875. The critics were scandalized by the opera's realism. It is the most popular and vital French opera of the 19th century. Three months after the opera's premiere, worn out with the work of rehearsals, on June 3, 1875, Bizet died.

Sources: Comptons

For a more detailed Biography and a list of his works go to this site.