Sun, 31.05.2026
DiVent Wind Ensemble: «España olé!» - Bizet's «Carmen» as wind ensemble music
Concert title
DiVent Wind Ensemble: «España olé!» - Bizet's «Carmen» as wind ensemble music
Date
Sun 31.05.2026
Start of the concert
17:15
Contributors
Soloists
Janine Odermatt, flute;
Yoko Jinnai, Shoko Miyake, oboes;
Urs Bamert, Gabriel Schwyter, clarinets and bass clarinet;
Federico Loy, Katalin Cziegler, bassoons;
Patrick Gasser, Kumiko Jöhl, horns
Yoko Jinnai, Shoko Miyake, oboes;
Urs Bamert, Gabriel Schwyter, clarinets and bass clarinet;
Federico Loy, Katalin Cziegler, bassoons;
Patrick Gasser, Kumiko Jöhl, horns
program
Théodore Gouvy's Petite Suite Gauloise for wind nonet was composed in 1888 but published posthumously. Just three years after Charles Gounod's Petite Symphonie for the same instrumentation—Gounod's wind nonet having been commissioned by Paul Taffanel, the founder of the renowned wind ensemble Société à des Instruments à Vent—it is reasonable to assume that Taffanel may have approached Gouvy with a similar request. The Suite Gauloise consists of four short movements with titles reminiscent of Baroque suites. It begins with a slow, somber introduction, followed by a rather resolute and dignified minuet. The second movement, Aubade, is a gentle, solemn procession. This is followed by the Ronde de nuit, which begins with a horn call, and then the Dance of the Night: initially somewhat eerie, the mood brightens and becomes more lively. The finale, Tambourin, is lively, bright, and playful.
Even today, Carmen remains one of the most popular and frequently performed works in the operatic repertoire. Georges Bizet's opera tells the tragic story of the passionate gypsy Carmen in Seville, who seduces the soldier Don José and drives him to madness. José leaves his fiancée Micaëla for her, deserts, and becomes a smuggler. When Carmen turns to the bullfighter Escamillo, the jealous José stabs her to death in a fit of obsession. Carmen's character alone would have caused a scandal. Add to that her violent death, Bizet's musical innovations, and the opera's over three-hour running time! All of this was too much for the Parisian audiences of that era—but the Divent wind ensemble performs it in a more compact version.
Pocket Opera in 75 Minutes: George Bizet's "Carmen" as Wind Ensemble Music.
Excerpts from Bizet's opera "Carmen"
arranged for wind nonet by Andreas N. Tarkmann.
Libretto in abridged version presented by Gabriel Schwyter.
Théodore Gouvy: Petite Suite Gauloise.
George Bizet: Suite from "Carmen".
Even today, Carmen remains one of the most popular and frequently performed works in the operatic repertoire. Georges Bizet's opera tells the tragic story of the passionate gypsy Carmen in Seville, who seduces the soldier Don José and drives him to madness. José leaves his fiancée Micaëla for her, deserts, and becomes a smuggler. When Carmen turns to the bullfighter Escamillo, the jealous José stabs her to death in a fit of obsession. Carmen's character alone would have caused a scandal. Add to that her violent death, Bizet's musical innovations, and the opera's over three-hour running time! All of this was too much for the Parisian audiences of that era—but the Divent wind ensemble performs it in a more compact version.
Pocket Opera in 75 Minutes: George Bizet's "Carmen" as Wind Ensemble Music.
Excerpts from Bizet's opera "Carmen"
arranged for wind nonet by Andreas N. Tarkmann.
Libretto in abridged version presented by Gabriel Schwyter.
Théodore Gouvy: Petite Suite Gauloise.
George Bizet: Suite from "Carmen".
address
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Seat reservations: ursbamert@hotmail.com
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