Ildar Abdrazakov sings Escamillo from Bizet’s “Carmen“

The opera premiered at the Opéra-Comique of Paris on 3 March 1875, but its opening run was denounced by the majority of was almost withdrawn after its fourth or fifth performance, and although this was avoided, ultimately having 48 performances in its first run, it did little to bolster sagging receipts at the Opéra-Comique. Near the end of this run, the theatre was giving tickets away in order to stimulate attendance. Bizet died of a heart attack, aged 37, on 3 June 1875, never knowing how popul