“Carmen” by Georges Bizet contains some of the most recognizable melodies, not just in opera but in all classical music. This isn’t surprising, since the melodies are so strong that they sound just as dramatic in orchestral arrangements as with the vocal lines. Thus, it’s no wonder that this opera has inspired several different ballets.
Bizet based the story of his opera on a French novella from 1845. The composer arranged his memorable themes as two separate suites, which have been highly popular ever since. It is these suites that have provided the music for the many ballets.
There is no single standard for this ballet’s choreography. There are at least five mainstream versions from renowned choreographers, while countless other companies and choreographers have written their own versions. These ballets often use different composers’ arrangements of the music, which weave the melodies together while utilizing different instrumentation….