Program Notes:

“La Fleur Que Tu M’Avais Jetée” or commonly referred to as “The Flower Song” is a tenor aria in Georges Bizet’s opera “Carmen”. In the piece, Don Jose confesses his love to Carmen by presenting her with the flower that she gave him earlier in the opera. Filled with lush melodies and dramatic harmonies, this beautiful aria exemplifies romantic French opera. I’ve adapted this piece specifically for youth/community orchestra. The key is transposed into C-major (as opposed to the original D-flat major), and the instrumentation includes most of the full orchestra.

Instrumentation:

• Flute I & II
• English Horn (or Oboe)
• Clarinet I & II (in B-flat)
• Bassoon I & II
• Horn I & II
• Trumpet I & II (in B-flat)
• Trombone I & II
• Tuba
• Harp (or Piano)
• Strings