To mark the 150th anniversary of Bizet's death and the premiere of his immensely popular Carmen, Alpha Classics and Le Palazzetto Bru Zane now pay tribute to C�lestine Galli-Mari�, the singer who created the title role. A remarkable actress and singer, she created sixteen roles in fifteen years at the Op�ra-Comique, including Ambroise Thomas� iconic Mignon and Jacques Offenbach�s Fantasio. Eva Za�cik is delighted to take on the roles created by such a colourful artist: "C�lestine embodied a certain idea of artistic and feminine rebellion. Her voice, charisma, and unique theatrical approach brought to life characters who were free, complex, and often struggled with the norms of their time." Supported superbly by Pierre Dumoussaud and the Orchestre National de Lille, the French mezzo not only brilliantly embodies characters created by Bizet, Massenet, Offenbach, and Thomas, but also breathes new life into arias by Paladilhe, Poise, Deff�s, Mass�, Guiraud, Cohen, and Grisar.