Bizet: Carmen (Claudio Abbado, 1977) Blu-ray Audio with Dolby Atmos + 192/24 DTS-HD MA 5.1 and 2.0

[McCrutchy]

Deutsche Grammophon will release Claudio Abbado's recording of Georges Bizet's Carmen (1977) on Blu-ray Audio in May / June 2020.

Although no information has appeared yet from the label themselves, Presto Classical has this information attached to their listing:

• Newly remastered at Emil Berliner Studios in 24 bit/192kHz

• Blu-ray Audio in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 5.1 Surround Sound 24 bit / 192 kHz and Dolby Atmos 24 bit/ 48kHz

• 128-page booklet with liner notes (English/German)

Abbado’s years with the London Symphony Orchestra resulted in three celebrated sets with the Spanish mezzo Teresa Berganza in central roles – and few could be more “central” than Bizet’s Carmen. Made in 1977, the recording followed staged performances directed by Piero Fagioni at the Edinburgh Festival. Berganza had studied the Carmen story, immersed herself in the opera’s background and delivered a characterization that emphasized the gipsy’s nobility, while Abbado’s conducting was both dramatic and vividly coloured.

Opus Arte have at least one modern opera Blu-ray that offers Atmos, while DG have a few classic operas in 4.0 / 5.1 on Blu-ray Audio (including the 1973 Bernstein recording of this opera) and one or two Dolby Atmos remixes, but I believe this will be the first opera from the analogue era to be presented in a Dolby Atmos mix, and it seems that high-resolution options in both 5.1 and stereo will also be included, seemingly in 192kHz, 24-bit.

The price is really good, too. Just $17.00 on sale above at Presto, and currently under €22 VAT included on Amazon in Germany and Italy. It's not active on the other Amazon sites yet, but hopefully, the price will be comparable.

 

[gene_stl]

Although I would love to have a copy of this and may buy it, I don't see the point of digitizing analog magnetic tape at 24/192.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Although I would love to have a copy of this and may buy it, I don't see the point of digitizing analog magnetic tape at 24/192.

It's better than MP3.

 

[proufo]

My favorite soprano of all times. Oftentimes my favorite tenor.

Got it in Lp box, what, 40 years ago?

It is likely to be a tasteful ambiance 5.1 mix, not a center of the stage one.

 

[ubertrout]

Someone posted the back cover, possibly of interest. In truth, I'm pretty good with the Bernstein Carmen, but I'll probably get it at some point.

 

[northernsoul]

Any feedback on Atmos mix?