Ernst Lubitsch
1918
Tobias Schwencke
2021
Commissioned by ZDF in collaboration with ARTE
2 Flutes (also Picc. & Alto), 2 Oboes (also English Horn), 2 Clarinets (also A Clarinets & Bass Clarinet), 2 Bassoons,
4 Horns, 2 Trumpets in Bb, 3 Trombones, Timpani, 3 Percussionists,
Acoustic Guitar (also Electric Guitar), Harp
Strings (min. 10.8.6.4.4)
[92 minutes]
Nina Goslar / ZDF
When the dragoon José Navarro visits his mother and his bride in the countryside, he receives a message from his superior ordering him back to Seville. The reason: José is to be promoted. Full of joy, he sets off.
When he arrives in Seville, he meets the seductive gypsy Carmen, who works in a cigarette factory. When a fight breaks out among the workers in the factory, Carmen is arrested as the instigator. But the good-natured dragoon José succumbs to the beautiful woman’s protestations of love and helps her to escape. As punishment, José, who has only recently been promoted, is demoted again and has to stand guard on the streets of the city as an ordinary soldier. Here he is once again beguiled by Carmen, who in reality only wants to distract him so that a gang of smugglers can pass undisturbed. When José kills an officer in a duel shortly afterwards, he joins Carmen’s gang. Eventually she becomes the victim of José’s jealousy: When the faithless gypsy turns to a bullfighter in Gibraltar, he stabs her with a dagger in front of the bullring.
ARTE cine-concert / 2eleven music film
– 2025.May / REAL ORQUESTA SINFÓNICA DE SEVILLA, Teatro de la Maestranza (Sevilla) [Recording for ARTE]
– 2025.November.12 / REAL ORQUESTA SINFÓNICA DE SEVILLA, Teatro de la Maestranza (Sevilla) [WORLD PREMIERE]
