Carmen (Mar. 22, 1986)

Composer: Georges Bizet
Librettist: Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy

Levine; Malfitano, Ewing, Domingo, Devlin

Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus

Approximate running time: 2 hrs. 44 min.

Star tenor Plácido Domingo brings romantic ardor and stylish vocalism to the role of Don José, the honest soldier lured to his doom by the free-spirited gypsy of the title, sung by Maria Ewing. Catherine Malfitano is Micaela, the faithful girl from Don José’s old life who comes to realize she is unable to save him, and Michael Devlin sings Escamillo, the swaggering bullfighter and Don José’s rival for Carmen’s affections. James Levine leads the Met’s musical forces.