Georges Bizet
French composer of the Romantic era, best known for his operas, particularly the masterpiece 'Carmen'.
Georges Bizet was a French composer of the Romantic period. A child prodigy, he entered the Paris Conservatoire at age nine. He won the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1857. Despite early talent and recognition, his career was marked by struggles for success. His final opera, 'Carmen', premiered to a lukewarm reception just months before his untimely death at 36. Ironically, 'Carmen' went on to become one of the most popular and frequently performed operas in the world, cementing his posthumous fame.
- Bizet's most famous work, 'Carmen', was initially met with criticism and public indifference. Its perceived 'immorality' shocked Parisian audiences.
- He died suddenly at the age of 36, just three months after the disastrous premiere of 'Carmen', never knowing it would become a global sensation.
- The exact cause of his death remains debated. Likely candidates include complications from quinsy (a severe throat abscess), a second heart attack (following one suffered earlier that year), or acute rheumatic fever exacerbated by stress and poor health.
- Bizet struggled financially throughout his career and faced repeated disappointments with operas like 'Les pêcheurs de perles' and 'La jolie fille de Perth' failing to achieve lasting success during his lifetime.
- He was married to Geneviève Halévy, daughter of another famous composer, Jacques Fromental Halévy. Their marriage faced difficulties.
- Bizet composed several other notable works, including the Symphony in C (written at 17 but not discovered until 80 years after his death), the suite 'L'Arlésienne' (incidental music), and the opera 'Les pêcheurs de perles' (The Pearl Fishers), famous for the tenor-baritone duet "Au fond du temple saint".
