Morton Gould was an American conductor renowned for making classical music accessible without compromising artistry. This 1996 RCA Victor recording presents Bizet's Carmen as a tightly crafted orchestral suite rather than full opera, highlighting the score's most vivid moments: the Prelude, the seductive Habanera, and the energetic Street Children scene. Gould's orchestra is lively and precise, capturing the Spanish flavor of Bizet's orchestration with bright brass and percussion. This is Carmen for listeners who want the music's excitement and drama without four hours of operatic commitment. The arrangement respects Bizet's genius while making his invention immediately accessible.