Well, the answer is sometimes ‘yes’ and sometimes ‘no’ for the operatic characters in Carmen, Manon, and La traviata. Facing this quandary are Diana Damrau, Piotr Beczała, Maria Callas, Nicolai Gedda, and Renata Scotto.
When To Say ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ To Love
(Photo: Liam Quin)
Playlist
“Toi! Vous! Oui, c’est moi…” from Manon by Jules Massenet
Diana Damrau, soprano; Piotr Beczała, tenor; Lyon National Opera Orchestra; Alain Altinoglu, conductor
(Lyon 2014. DGG 00289 479 4101)
“C’est toi!! C’est moi! From Carmen by Georges Bizet
Maria Callas, soprano; Nicolai Gedda, tenor; Chorus and the Orchestra of the Paris Opera; Georges Prêtre, conductor
(Paris 1964. WARNER CLASSICS 0825646341108)
“Sempre libera” from La traviata by Giuseppe Verdi
Renata Scotto, soprano; Alfredo Kraus, tenor; Philharmonia Orchestra; Riccardo Muti, conductor
(London 1980. EMI 5 09697 2)