This spectacular opera film was taped in 1967 and is based on the 1966 Salzburg Festival production directed by Herbert von Karajan himself, who also conducts the fabulous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. The production features the three greatest exponents of their respective roles at the time: Grace Bumbry’s magnificently seductive-toned Carmen, Mirella Freni’s ineffably lovely, touching Micaëla and Jon Vickers’s thrillingly manic-depressive Don José. On its release the film was hailed by Die Presse, (Vienna) as a “unique artistic event”, while Le Monde felt that Karajan’s production brought “a whole new dimension” to the opera, “combined with a magisterial interpretation”. A classical and utterly dramatic approach to probably the world's most beloved opera – Karajan’s Carmen is as much a delicacy for opera fans as it is a perfect starter for newcomers.
Unfortunately the movie Bizet Carmen is not yet available on HBO Max.
Directing | Herbert von Karajan | Director |
Writing | Prosper Mérimée | Novel |
Sound | Herbert von Karajan | Conductor |
Directing | Herbert von Karajan | Stage Director |
Production | Fritz Buttenstedt | Executive Producer |
Costume & Make-Up | Georges Wakhévitch | Costume Design |
Camera | Kai Borsche | Camera Operator |
Camera | François Reichenbach | Director of Photography |
Art | Teo Otto | Set Designer |
Sound | Georges Bizet | Original Music Composer |
Editing | Jackie Raynal | Editor |
Camera | Ernst Wild | Director of Photography |
Camera | Jürgen Jürges | Camera Operator |
Camera | Dieter Matzka | Camera Operator |
Camera | Rüdiger Meichsner | Camera Operator |