Georges Bizet

Georges Bizet (1838-1875) entered the Paris Conservatoire at nine, studied piano with Antoine Marmontel and composition with Fromental Halevy, and won the Prix de Rome in 1857. He is remembered above all for Carmen, premiered in March 1875, just months before his death at 36. His piano music is less known but substantial: the six Chants du Rhin, the Variations chromatiques de concert, a handful of nocturnes and caprices, and Jeux d'enfants, twelve miniatures for piano duet that are staples of teaching and recital repertoire.