No, I’m not talking about the popular “Carmen” movies that a lot of you have seen or at least heard of; not Beyoncé in “Carmen: A Hip-Hopera” nor Dorothy Dandridge in “Carmen Jones.”

I’m talking about Grace Bumbry.

But rewatching “Carmen Jones,” which is now out on blu-ray, it got me to thinking about Bumbry, who starred in a film version of George Bizet’s original French opera back in 1967.

A St. Louis native, Bumbry, who, now at age 80, is still very active, living and performing in Austria, was, in the 60’s and 70’s, one of the truly great operatic mezzo sopranos of her day; and like her peer Leontyne Price, broke down many barriers.

For example, in the early 60’s, she sang the role of Venus in Wagner’s opera “Tannhauser” at Bayreuth (the home and shrine to Wagner which holds an opera festival, performing only his operas every summer). It was, to put it mildly, a scandal. How dare a black woman play the role of Venus, the audience thought at the time. The director of the production’s response was: “Show me anyone who can sing it better and I’ll hire her”.

No one did.

Then, in ’67, Bumbry played the role of Carmen for a film version of the opera, directed by the legendary conductor Herbert Von Karajan (with the Vienna Philharmonic) who, at this time, started making films of his opera and symphony performances.

Once again there was *shock and horror* that a black woman played the role of Carmen. Dorothy Dandridge (whose singing voice in “Carmen Jones” was dubbed by an 18 year old white girl named Marilyn Horne, who also went on the become one of greatest opera singers ever) was one thing; but to (white) audiences at the time, Bumbry was something else. And, once again, they kept their mouths shut when they heard Bumbry sing.

Interestingly, Karajan, with the same Vienna PO three years earlier, recorded a performance of “Carmen” with Leontyne Price, for RCA, which is considered one of the greatest recordings ever of the work.

So why didn’t Karajan use Price for the film version, instead of Bumbry? I suspect it was most likely because Price was too majestic, too regal a figure to convincingly play… how shall we say… a *loose* woman like Carmen, on the screen. Bumbry, however, had an earthly sensuality that was perfect for the role.

Just take a look in the clip below (poster follows it). By the way, the film is available for purchase on DVD; pick up a copy on Amazon: