The Independent, Saturday 18 August 2012
Andy Gill
 
Simon Rattle, Berliner Philharmoniker, Bizet: Carmen
 
 

Rattle makes full use of the fund of glorious tunes in Carmen, shamelessly indulging showstoppers like the “Habanera”, with Magdalena Kozena’s elegant, lyrical delivery receiving a series of burly responses from a chorus not short on gusto.

Kozena and Jonas Kaufmann are perfectly matched in the lead roles, bringing a persuasive emotional chemistry to Carmen and Don Jose’s doomed affair, rivalling that of Angela Gheorghiu and Roberto Alagna in “Parle-moi de ma mère”; but the support of minor roles and choir is exceptional, particularly the enchanting urchins’ chorus provided by the Kinderchor der Deutschen Staatsoper Berlin.


 






 
 
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