As one of the most popular operas of all time, Carmen has been recorded innumerable times. Unlike most early recordings, this Carmen does not use recitatives by Ernest Guiraud, but the restored dialogues. Described by Opera on Record as “living theatre caught on record… an extraordinary recording”, this 1950 Carmen features a Francophone cast under the great Belgian conductor André Cluytens. The title rôle is taken by Solange Michel who was considered to be the finest contralto of her era and acclaimed for her acting as well as her singing. She is matched by Raoul Jobin’s ringing tone, excellent diction and wholehearted commitment as Don José.