Raymonde Visconti, Georges Thill, Louis Guénot, Andreé Vavon, Andreé Bernadet, Choeur et Orchestre Symphonique de Paris, conducted by Elie Cohen*
This classic recording of the world’s most popular opera, made in and around 1928, has previously only had very limited exposure on LP or CD. While advertised and labelled as being by the Paris Symphony, the forces are actually those of the Opéra-Comique. In Georges Thill, playing Don José, we have the greatest French tenor of the century, and overall this is a memorable performance, as ever restored with great skill by Pristine Audio.
DRAMATIS PERSONAE:
Carmen: Raymonde Visconti (mezzo-soprano)
Don José: Georges Thill (tenor)
Micaëla: Marthe Nespoulpous (soprano)
Escamillo: Louis Guénot (baritone)
Frasquita: Andreé Vavon (soprano)
Mercédès: Andreé Bernadet (soprano)
Dancaïro: Robert Roussel (tenor)
Remendado: Téo Mathyl (tenor)
* The Flower Song (CD1, track 13) recorded in 1927 and conducted by Philippe Gaubert.