Two Truths and a Lie

We've been doing a little research on Georges Bizet (composer of Carmen) and we have uncovered some absolutely too good to be true tidbits about him... exactly the sort of racy gossip you would expect of the man who composed the world's most successful opera featuring a decidedly amoral female protagonist.

Some of the tidbits are so unbelievable, in fact, that we'd like to test you to see if you can spot the fiction versus the facts.

Ready to play Two Truths and a Lie: the Classical Edition?


Here we go:

• Although Bizet's death certificate claimed his death was by  congestive heart failure, the real reason he died was because he was challenged to a icy swimming duel by the illegitimate son of French composer Charles Valentin-Alkan.
• When he was 23, Bizet got himself into a bit of a scrape when it was revealed the Bizet family maid was with child. The family tried to claim that the father was George's dad, Adolphe, but later it was discovered that it was really little Georgie who did the deed.
• The Opera Comique (where Carmen debuted) were horrified by what a "debauched" character Carmen was. The Opera's box seats were often used by prospective parents to interview their future daughters-in-law and it was thought that racy, fiery, definitely not ladylike Carmen would give these young women the wrong idea.

What do you think the real story is? Identify the lie correctly in the comments below and you'll be entered to win tickets to Petrouchka/Carmen!

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Would you rather kill for love or die for love?

That's the question at the heart of our 2011/2012 season.

Bizet's Carmen puts a lover in harm's way just so another lover can prove his worth...

Stravinsky's Petrouchka risks it all for love and loses...

Giselle's heart bursts before she will take revenge on a lover who betrays her...

Fortunately for you, neither murder nor suicide is needed to score FREE season tickets to the ballet!

All you need to do is click here to sign up for our e-newsletter by creating or updating your online account with us.

(The link will take you to a Ticketmaster sign up page. Don't worry, all it does is put your email address and preferences into our system so we can keep you up to date on all the bloody backstage goodness.)

On June 30th we'll choose one lucky e-news subscriber to win a pair of season tickets. Ready? Set? WIN.