Bizet

(bé-za), G. (Alex. César Léopold), Paris, Oct. 25, 1838—Bougival, June 3, 1875; distinguished composer. Ato, pupil at Paris Cons. of of), Benoist (org.), Zimmerman (harm.), and Halévy (whose opera ‘“‘Voé” he finished, and whose daughter Geneviéve he m.); 1857, too, Offenbach rst prize for an opera buffa, “Le Docteur Miracle,” prod. at Bouffes Parisiens, 1863; also won the Grand Prix de Rome. place of the Ma prescribed he sent from Rome a 2-act Ital. opera buffa “Don Procopio’; 2 movements of a symphony, ‘‘La Cha e D’O ian,” an overture; and “La Guzla de V? Emir,’ a comic opera, 1836, his opera, ‘‘Les Pécheurs Perles,” was prod. Paris (Th. Lyrique); it failed, ‘“‘Za Fille de Perth’? (1867), and the 1-act “Djamileh” (1872). In all his music B. revealed a strong leaning toward Wagner, so unpopular France; his overture “Patrice,” the 2 symphonic movements, Daudet’s. “L’ Arlésienne, brought him succe ; and ‘‘Carmen” (OpéraCom., March 3, 1875) brought him a fame, which he hardly knew, as he died three months later of heart disease; he composed also 2 operas, “* Numa” (1871) and “‘Ivan le Terrible’; 150 pf.-pcs., songs, etc.; collaborated with Délibes, Jonah and Legouix in opera “‘Malbrough, s’en va-t-en-guerre.”’ Biog. by Pigot, 1886, and D.C. Parker, 1926. (See article, page 4 88.) Bjorling, Ju i (Y6d’-si byar’-ling), b. Dalarna, Sweden, February 2, 1910; eminent tenor; son of operatic singer; one of three brothers, all singers, who with father formed quartet and made concert tour when B. was eight years old, singing in churches, etc.; on return to Sweden B. began vocal study with Julia Svedelius; in 1929 admitted to Royal Op. Sch., Stockholm, where in one year of intensive study under John For sell, Opera director, he prepared for his début as Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni); won permanent there and sang some fifty réles in le than decade; 1935, appearances in Vienna, Prague and Dresden with sensational succe ; en gaged for America; début N. Y. at soloist on General Motors Radio Hour, with symphony orchestra, 1937-8; same season sang in “La Bohéme”’ and “‘Rigoletto’’ with Chicago Op. Co., and gave concerts; engaged for Met. Op., 1938-9.