Video on demand: Bizet's L’Arlésienne Suite no. 1 and 2

With her parallel careers as a vocal soloist and orchestral leader, French conductor and vocalist Nathalie Stutzmann is an extraordinary musical personality.

Watch as she leads the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra in both of Georges Bizet’s L’Arlésienne suites.

Georges Bizet had a unique ability to create charming and striking melodies, which many people have experienced through his operas Carmen and The Pearl Fishers. He also composed music for the French author Alphonse Daudet’s drama L’Arlésienne, The Girl from Arles, which consists of nearly thirty numbers - some of which are just a few beats long - for a small ensemble including saxophone, tambourine and piano.

Shortly after the theatrical premiere, Bizet arranged the first suite with material from the theatrical music, which, in addition to elements of Provencal folk songs, has the same colour and drama we recognise from Carmen. After Bizet’s death, his friend, the composer Ernest Guiraud, arranged the second suite. 

Filmed in October 2014.