Composer

:

Georges Bizet

Genre

:

Musical Theatre

Style

:

Musical Theater

Compose Date

:

1943

Average_duration

:

46:34

Movement_count

:

11

Movement ....

Carmen Jones is a musical adaptation of Georges Bizet's opera Carmen, with music composed by Oscar Hammerstein II and lyrics by Richard Rodgers. The musical premiered on Broadway in 1943 and was later adapted into a film in 1954. The plot of Carmen Jones follows the story of Carmen, a passionate and free-spirited woman who works in a factory in North Carolina during World War II. She becomes involved with Joe, a soldier who is engaged to another woman. Their relationship is tumultuous, and Carmen's fiery personality leads to a tragic end for both of them. The music of Carmen Jones is a blend of traditional African American folk songs and classical music, with a focus on jazz and blues. The score includes popular songs such as "Dat's Love" and "Beat Out Dat Rhythm on a Drum." The musical premiered on Broadway on December 2, 1943, and ran for 502 performances. It was directed by Hassard Short and starred Muriel Smith as Carmen and Kenneth Spencer as Joe. The show was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to launch the careers of several African American performers. Carmen Jones was later adapted into a film in 1954, directed by Otto Preminger and starring Dorothy Dandridge as Carmen and Harry Belafonte as Joe. The film was a groundbreaking achievement, as it was the first major Hollywood production to feature an all-black cast. It was also a critical and commercial success, earning several Academy Award nominations. The movements of Carmen Jones are characterized by a blend of classical and popular music, with a focus on jazz and blues. The music is often used to underscore the emotional intensity of the characters and their relationships. The show also features elaborate dance numbers, which are choreographed to showcase the talents of the performers. Overall, Carmen Jones is a powerful and emotional musical that explores themes of love, passion, and tragedy. Its blend of classical and popular music, along with its groundbreaking all-black cast, have made it a landmark achievement in American musical theater.

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