Georges Bizet - Carmen Suite (1875), René Leibowitz & Orchestre de la Société des Concerts Symphonique de Paris (1960)

In the spirit of the opera. In some sections, the themes are followed almost exactly (Fate Theme, Aragonaise, and La Garde Montante). Les Toreadors and Les Dragons d'Alcala are vignettes in the spirit of the work, featuring Naomi Watts in adult scenes. There is also a short skit featuring Ms Watts in the opening 15 seconds of Aragonaise. Intermezzo is done entirely ad lib in the spirit of the composition. The Suite's finale, Danse Bohème, follows the theme in some parts, and the spirit of the work in others, also featuring Naomi Watts in adult scenes twice in the segment. She also completes the climax.

Previous to 1960 there were two official versions of the Carmen Suite. In 1960, composer and conductor René Leibowitz created a new sequence based on the Fate theme being at the beginning, with the exception of having moved Les Toreadors from the end to the opening of the suite just prior to Carmen's Fate. Danse Bohème took on the role of being the suite's exciting and furious finale. This set a standard for other studio recordings of Carmen Suite in the 1960's and 1970's, one which I own on vinyl from the mid-60's.

(00:05) 1. Prelude, Act 1 (Les Toreadors)
(02:14) 2. Prelude, Act 1 (Fate Theme])
(03:38) 3. Prelude, Act 4 (Aragonaise)
(05:46) 4. Prelude, Act 2 (Les Dragons d'Alcala)
(07:20) 5. Prelude, Act 3 (Intermezzo)
(10:09) 6. La Garde Montante, Act 1
(12:44) 7. Danse Bohème, Act 2