Scored for Trumpet and Piano

None of Bizet's operas ('Les Pecheurs de Perles', 1863; 'La Jolie Fille de Perth', 1867, 'Djamileh', 1872), initially enjoyed great success, but shortly after the premiere of 'Djamileh' Bizet's attention was directed towards the 'Carmen' subject, probably by Camille Du Locle then manager of the Opéra Comique.

Public reaction after the premiere on 3rd March 1875 was cool and the critics' reviews quite devastating. Bizet died at the early age 38 of a heart attack only three months later. On that day, June 3rd 1875, Carmen was given in Paris for the 33rd time to increasing success.

Carmen is one of the mainstays of the operatic repertoire and popular with audiences all over the world. According to a survey, the Toreador's Song is the most widely known piece from ANY work of music theatre.

This suite consists of Prelude and Chanson Boheme • Choeur des Gamins • Habanera • Entr'acte to Act IV • Seguedille • March of the Toreadors