Bizet: Carmen (Great Recordings of the Century)
As remastered for EMI'sGreat Recordings of the Century series, this classic 1959Carmensounds marginally better than its previous silver disc  incarnation. Tape hiss is reduced, but without any compromise in residual  overtones. A/B comparisons also tipped the scales in favor of the present  reissue for newfound clarity and character among the lower-pitched instruments  and the choral forces. Like many conductors of his generation, Beecham viewedCarmenas grand opera, instead of opera comique, and opted for the  once-ubiquitous, now-discredited Guirard recitatives. But the great conductor's  ebullient pacing and light-handed orchestral balancing galvanizes his splendid  cast to idiomatic heights. Victoria de los Angeles gets under the skin of the  complex title role as few mezzos have--so much so that it is easy to take for  granted her alluring timbre and meticulous musicianship. Nicolai Gedda's ardent  and alive Don José is vocally fresher but a tad less insightful than his  1964 remake partnering Callas. Well sung but less individually portrayed are  Ernst Blanc's Escamillo and Janine Michaeau's Micaela.Carmensets of  more recent vintage offer more authentic presentations of Bizet's text, to be  sure. Yet Beecham's theatrical flair still burns brightly and will enrichCarmenlovers who have yet to experience this delightful, ageless  recording.--Jed Distler