There is a tendency for conductors to take the
confused textual history of 'Carmen' as a licence to play fast
and loose with the make-up of the work. This has been very prevalent
since Fritz Oeser's rather over-inclusive edition, which included
much music that Bizet would probably rather have kept in the waste
basket. The problem lies with Bizet's early death and the controversy
surrounding the first performance. Bizet lived to see the vocal
score published, but there has always been a contention that some
of the changes he made were ones that had been forced upon him.
Unfortunately, he also took advantage of the occasion to confirm
a number of other tightening ups and improvements.
Robert Hugill
