Carmen (1980 TV Movie) User Reviews

Fine production of THE french opera

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 5 July 2011]

I love opera, I love Carmen. Like I say in the review title, Carmen for me is THE french opera, the music is amazing, the title character is so vivid she lives long in the memory and the story is compelling right up to the final scene.

While I do prefer the 1984 film, which is my personal favourite Carmen, this 1980 production is very fine. The picture quality is a little blurry at times, however the costumes and sets are of authentic quality and the sound is great in all the major arias.

The orchestra get the authentic Spanish feel of the score perfectly, and the conducting is as solid as can be. There are some great performances as well. Teresa Berganza is a scintillating Carmen, her voice is luscious and of considerable power, and she manages to be flirtatious and seductive as she should be. I still think Don Jose is one of Placido Domingo's best roles and this production does nothing to change that, his voice is effortless and full of emotion and man can this man act. Katia Ricciarelli is heart-breaking as Michaela while the wonderful Ruggero Raimondi is a superb Escamillo with his rendition of the Toreador Song one of the best renditions there is along with those of Jose Vam Dam, Samuel Ramey and Lawrence Tibbett.

Overall, this is a fine Carmen and worth the watch. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Truly amazing Carmen

[AngelofMusic1998 · 9/10 · 13 May 2024]

Carmen is one of my favorite operas and this production from 1980 in Paris is very good and touching. Teresa Berganza is seductive, charismatic and very good as the title character of this opera. Placido Domingo as Don José brings out all the intensity of Don José as a character and you can see why Don José is to many one of his best roles. Katia Ricciarelli, whom I know as Amelia in Un Ballo in Maschera and Liu in Turandot is heartbreaking as Micaela and Ruggiero Raimondi is truly great as Escamilo (one of the rare feats, since many who play him sorta stop being energetic when his aria ends and sorta drag through Act 3 and Act 4,but here it was not the case). The final scene hits. Overall, one of the best Carmen in my opinion. 9/10.