An all-star live production of this most popular of operas, complete with extensive notes, newly-translated libretto, remastered digital sound, and beautiful packaging, all at mid-price! One of the first recordings of Carmen made using the Oeser Edition, restoring the original spoken dialogue in the libretto. Shirley Verrett is one of the most sensual and intelligently dramatic Carmens ever recorded. Luciano Pavarotti has called her “one of the great artists of this century.” Live performance, London, 1973. "Verrett is quite interesting. Hers has always been an individual timbre, perhaps not beautiful in the conventional sense, but unique, and possessing an innate animal intensity that can snarl or purr. Almost at odds with this seething quality is Verrett’s refinement as a musician, more apparent back in 1973, when she was in her prime, than in later outings... this sounds like a carefully prepared production, in which nothing is handled carelessly, everyone on his toes and in fine form. The sound is wonderfully clear, present and undistorted.” — Opera News