Bizet Carmen Agnes Baltsa José Carreras Samuel Ramey Metropolitan Opera (1987)

This allstar cast is framed by Peter Halls gritty realistic production and conducted by James Levine who brings out all the surging emotion and gripping drama in Bizets score At the center of the story is Agnes Baltsa whose smoky mezzo is tailormade for the gypsy Carmen an independent woman who glories in obeying only her own rules but who is haunted by fate Superstar tenor José Carreras is Don José the solider from a small town who catches Carmens eye and is destroyed by his growing obsession with her Samuel Ramey is the charismatic matador Escamillo who lures Carmen away from Don José with tragic result Leona Mitchell is Micaëla the simple girl from Don Josés hometown who cannot save him March 21 1987 Matinee Broadcast