Twice Olympic gold medalist German figure skater Katarina Witt’s exceptional performance with Habanera in Carmen on Ice, a 1990 dance film with choreography for figure skaters made in Germany. The music of the film is based on Georges Bizet’s 1875 opera Carmen, in an orchestral version arranged especially for this film.

Katarina Witt’s exceptional performance with Habanera in Carmen on Ice, a 1990 dance film with choreography for figure skaters made in Germany

Carmen On Ice

The 1990 movie is considered an innovation in the history of figure skating. There is no spoken dialogue in Carmen on Ice. The story of the film is very similar to the opera Carmen. Analogous to the four-act opera libretto the screenplay has four parts.

It was filmed in Spain and Germany, and the citizens of Sevilla and Berlin played bit parts. The film was directed by Horant H. Hohlfeld, produced by Thomas Bürger, and written by Horant H. Hohlfeld. Orchestral arrangements are made by Bert Grund (1920-1992), the German film composer.

One of the most famous arias of CarmenHabanera is the popular name for “L’amour est un oiseau rebelle” (“Love is a rebellious bird”). It is the entrance aria of the title character, a mezzo-soprano role, in scene 5 of the first act.

Katarina Witt in Carmen On Ice -movie poster
Katarina Witt in Carmen On Ice -movie poster

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M. Özgür Nevres

Published by M. Özgür Nevres

I am Özgür Nevres, a software engineer, a former road racing cyclist, and also an amateur musician. I opened andantemoderato.com to share my favorite music. I also take care of stray cats & dogs. This website's all income goes directly to our furry friends. Please consider supporting me on Patreon, so I can help more animals!

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