Tune of the Day: Entr'acte
This intermezzo is taken from Bizet's Spanish opera Carmen, a realistic drama of love, jealousy and murder, set in Seville. It serves as an interlude before Act III, and sets the scene as the gypsy smugglers climb to their stronghold in the mountains, ready for a new enterprise, joined by Carmen and the soldier, Don José, whom she has seduced.
The original orchestral setting features a poetic pastoral melody on the flute over a harp accompaniment, with other instruments entering to converse with the flute. The combination of flute and harp is one that is peculiarly satisfying, the one instrument a foil to the other. Of course, if you can't find a harpist, our arrangement will sound nice all the same if the accompaniment part is played on a piano.