Bizet Celebration – Nostalgia V
Symphony Concert
Saturday, 23. August 2025
7:30 p.m., Gstaad Festival Tent
Georges Bizet passed away 150 years ago, never knowing the colossal success his Carmen would achieve – now the most performed opera in the world. To celebrate his legacy, an extraordinary evening dedicated to French music brings the Les Musiciens du Louvre, led by Marc Minkowski, to the stage. At the heart of the programme are two standout voices: French-Swiss mezzo-soprano Marina Viotti, recently crowned “Lyric Artist of the Year” at the Victoires de la Musique and a star of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, and the French tenor Quentin Desgeorges. The evening promises a feast of highlights, including iconic arias and duets from Carmen alongside hidden treasures like La Jolie Fille de Perth, Djamileh, Les Pêcheurs de Perles, and L’Arlésienne. To crown the night, both of the enchanting L’Arlésienne orchestral suites will be performed in full.
Marina Viotti, Mezzo-Soprano
Quentin Desgeorges, Tenor
Les Musiciens du Louvre, Ensemble
Marc Minkowski, Conductor
| Georges Bizet (1838–1875) | |
| from “Jeux d'enfants”: “Trompette et tambour” (marche), “La Toupie” (impromptu), “Petit mari, petite femme” (duo), “Le Bal” (galop) | 10' |
| Georges Bizet (1838–1875) | |
| “À la voix d'un amant fidèle… Viens ma belle”, aria for Henri Smith for the opera “La Jolie Fille de Perth” | 6' |
| Georges Bizet (1838–1875) | |
| “Nour Eddin, roi de Lahore”, aria for Djamileh from the opera “Djamileh” | 5' |
| Georges Bizet (1838–1875) | |
| “Je crois entendre encore…”, romance for Nadir from the opera “Les Pêcheurs de perles” | 5' |
| Georges Bizet (1838–1875) | |
| “Près des remparts de Séville”, séguédille for Carmen from the opera “Carmen” | 3' |
| Georges Bizet (1838–1875) | |
| “Je vais danser en votre honneur”, duo Carmen-Don José from the opera “Carmen” | 3' |
| Georges Bizet (1838–1875) | |
| “La fleur que tu m'avais jetée… Non! tu ne m'aimes pas”, arias for Don José and Carmen from the opera “Carmen” | 8' |
| Georges Bizet (1838–1875) | |
| “L'Arlésienne”, symphonic suites No. 1 & 2 | 40' |
| 110' (interval included) | |