Many recordings have been made of Bizet's "Carmen" but Rise Stevens' recording (RCA) is still my favorite. I wish I could have seen her perform but she had already transitioned into arts management. She really was good!
@LordMgls She had more than ample opportunity to deepen her interpretation, and REALLY "took off," so to speak, in that classic Met production from the 1950s, staged by Tyrone Guthrie, designed by Rolf Gerard, and conducted (for the first couple of seasons) by Fritz Reiner, and later by Monteux, Kozma, Rudolf, Mitropoulos, and Morel. I wish that there were a kinescope or a film copy of the 1952 closed-circuit TV telecast of CARMEN (from a live Met performance) that could be transferred to DVD!
She certainly is a dream. The voice is dark, sensuous,agile,bright-sounding so natural that one almost thinks she never took a singing lesson! One mustn't forget that this was probably made for a TV show to promote the popularity of opera-and that in the 50's. So one cant expect a total operatic experience. Those who know her recording(s) of the role will know she's the ultimate Carmen. Those who dont-you're missing out! Greatest respect to Rise Stevens. She brings me lots of joy!!
In the early days of TV (and I speak as one who's lived through those days), there were some truly high-quality programs on the limited channel selections. At least once a month, there was a live production from the Met. This is one such moment. Those were the days! And yes, her hair was a fiery red.
I love the 20th century & find your story fascinating. I was born in 1980 and didn't get into opera until 2001. I love classic opera singers like Rise Stevens. But although opera has changed a lot in our new century, you can still hear classic Met radio broadcasts on Dish Cable TV's Sirius Music channels. They still show live Met broadcasts on TV (KCET) and some movie theaters show them if you look for them.
We live in the woods, too many trees. Dish couldn't find a way to get reception. Drat.
Risë Stevens was slender in a day when most sopranos were heavy; she had a grace few others possessed. She was the "Carmen" that Bizet envisioned when he wrote the opera.
She became a director at the Met and ruled with an iron hand in hiring/firing. Knew a tenor once who kept trying for the Met but no-go.
great voice, i mean really perfect for the song! unconvincing acting. i've yet to find a singer (aside from callas, who never actually performed the whole opera, and recorded it past her prime) that convinces me that she IS carmen. having sassy expressions and a beautiful face doesn't equate into being carmen. where's the depth!? until that miracle comes around, though, this will more than do.
No conocía esta versión, me gustó y también la interpretación. El cuerpo de esa voz... Lástima que no la pusieron morocha de pelo largo. Y hay un par de notitas que me suenan un chiquitín desajustadas, pero nada, igual me encantó.
Whoa...I heard her Carmen recording when I was in college but had forgotten all about it. I was caught off guard by such a rich voice. That IS a nice Carmen Voice.
Onegin65, the world (or youtube, which is the same thing in a way) wouldn't be the same without you. Thanks for this marvellous video, I'm so happy to see and hear Miss Stevens, one of the greatest.
Great! Her voice fits Carmen like a glove and she understands the role and the music perfectly. Her inflections and breaths turn this aria even more seductive. And she's very sexy and really dangerous! ;-D
She has the best smile.
tenorismo 1 year ago
Many recordings have been made of Bizet's "Carmen" but Rise Stevens' recording (RCA) is still my favorite. I wish I could have seen her perform but she had already transitioned into arts management. She really was good!
Moline102553 1 year ago
wooooooooooooooooooooo el ritmo con los dedos!!!
cantanteporsiempre 2 years ago
Merci beaucoup !!
C'est sur you tube que j'ai découvert cette très grande chanteuse. C'est peut être mon intérprétation préférée
J'adore ses expressions, c'est Carmen !!
einalemland 2 years ago 3
Did we just find the best Carmen?
Look at that expression! She seems to live the character! What a power!
LordMgls 2 years ago 2
@LordMgls She had more than ample opportunity to deepen her interpretation, and REALLY "took off," so to speak, in that classic Met production from the 1950s, staged by Tyrone Guthrie, designed by Rolf Gerard, and conducted (for the first couple of seasons) by Fritz Reiner, and later by Monteux, Kozma, Rudolf, Mitropoulos, and Morel. I wish that there were a kinescope or a film copy of the 1952 closed-circuit TV telecast of CARMEN (from a live Met performance) that could be transferred to DVD!
jmccracken1963 1 year ago
that low note at 0:27 is so incredibly powerful, i don't think any carmens can match her.
flicfan416 2 years ago
Incredible.
LordMgls 2 years ago
Love the Marilyn Monroe impersonation. All women in their mid-40's should look so good.
LibbySingsMezzo 2 years ago
My mother saw her in Chicago in concert and she had red hair!!
belcantomomof5 3 years ago
she´s beautiful and looks sexy for Carmen
cantanteporsiempre 2 years ago
that breath was cute. I loved it. She's fabulous.
calisouthqueen 3 years ago
Happy 95th Birthday today to the beautiful Risë Stevens!
SheHadManHands 3 years ago 7
a blond and northern looking Carmen I still had to see... yet the voice is dark and beautiful, her singing sound, solid, easy.
at a time when nearly all mezzos in this role sounded like prostitutes, her singing is light, sassy, merry...
I lack the dark sensuality of the spanish character but what we hear here is very good and very "french"
idraote 3 years ago
She certainly is a dream. The voice is dark, sensuous,agile,bright-sounding so natural that one almost thinks she never took a singing lesson! One mustn't forget that this was probably made for a TV show to promote the popularity of opera-and that in the 50's. So one cant expect a total operatic experience. Those who know her recording(s) of the role will know she's the ultimate Carmen. Those who dont-you're missing out! Greatest respect to Rise Stevens. She brings me lots of joy!!
iskenderuna 3 years ago
In the early days of TV (and I speak as one who's lived through those days), there were some truly high-quality programs on the limited channel selections. At least once a month, there was a live production from the Met. This is one such moment. Those were the days! And yes, her hair was a fiery red.
ragdollmom 2 years ago
I love the 20th century & find your story fascinating. I was born in 1980 and didn't get into opera until 2001. I love classic opera singers like Rise Stevens. But although opera has changed a lot in our new century, you can still hear classic Met radio broadcasts on Dish Cable TV's Sirius Music channels. They still show live Met broadcasts on TV (KCET) and some movie theaters show them if you look for them.
MastersoftheOpera 2 years ago
We live in the woods, too many trees. Dish couldn't find a way to get reception. Drat.
Risë Stevens was slender in a day when most sopranos were heavy; she had a grace few others possessed. She was the "Carmen" that Bizet envisioned when he wrote the opera.
She became a director at the Met and ruled with an iron hand in hiring/firing. Knew a tenor once who kept trying for the Met but no-go.
ragdollmom 2 years ago
great voice, i mean really perfect for the song! unconvincing acting. i've yet to find a singer (aside from callas, who never actually performed the whole opera, and recorded it past her prime) that convinces me that she IS carmen. having sassy expressions and a beautiful face doesn't equate into being carmen. where's the depth!? until that miracle comes around, though, this will more than do.
doodlydoo3 3 years ago
This woman is insane! She IS Carmen with that full voice and musical expression.
raine0211 4 years ago 2
No conocía esta versión, me gustó y también la interpretación. El cuerpo de esa voz... Lástima que no la pusieron morocha de pelo largo. Y hay un par de notitas que me suenan un chiquitín desajustadas, pero nada, igual me encantó.
gadsy 4 years ago
Whoa...I heard her Carmen recording when I was in college but had forgotten all about it. I was caught off guard by such a rich voice. That IS a nice Carmen Voice.
PoseidonRM 4 years ago 2
I have her Carmen on recording. Stevens is simply excellent.
Pawelp 4 years ago
where did you get those videos, thanks for all.
She´s great.
xavierfersanta 4 years ago
Onegin65, the world (or youtube, which is the same thing in a way) wouldn't be the same without you. Thanks for this marvellous video, I'm so happy to see and hear Miss Stevens, one of the greatest.
vladik07 4 years ago
Great! Her voice fits Carmen like a glove and she understands the role and the music perfectly. Her inflections and breaths turn this aria even more seductive. And she's very sexy and really dangerous! ;-D
Homoclassicus 4 years ago