Anne Sofie von Otter sings Offenbach [Live, Import]

Jacques Offenbach (Composer), Marc Minkowski (Conductor), Les Musiciens du Louvre (Orchestra), Anne Sofie von Otter (Performer), Gilles Ragon (Performer), Magali Leger (Performer), Stephanie d'Oustrac (Performer), Laurent Naouri (Performer), Christophe Grapperon (Performer), Jean-Christophe Henry (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Anne Sofie von Otter, Gilles Ragon, Magali Leger, Stephanie d'Oustrac, Laurent Naouri, et al.
• Orchestra: Les Musiciens du Louvre
• Conductor: Marc Minkowski
• Composer: Jacques Offenbach
• Audio CD (September 10, 2002)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live, Import
• Label: Dg Imports
• ASIN: B00006AKUW
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #202,963 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Bright Voice, Delightful Music, and Hilarious Delivery, June 16, 2003

By 

N. Cardon (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Anne Sofie von Otter sings Offenbach (Audio CD)

I'm a relative newcomer and amateur in opera. Right now, I particulary enjoy buying CDs of sopranos, and I decided to "try" Ms. Von Otter. Was I blown away. My favorite on this CD is the "Sextuor de l'Alphabet" (the Alphabet Sextet). I had to laugh the first time I heard this. I have a cursory grasp of French, and so caught a word hear or there. It was funny without the context. But after reading the English translation of the lyrics, my funny bone was tickled even more. This whole CD makes clear the reason that Offenbach was such a popular composer, a composer for the masses.

Anne Sofie von Otter has also found her way into my classical heart, and I intend to get to know her voice better. Her dramatic interpretation is wonderful, and could even be compared to Maria Callas' flair for drama.

I highly recommend this CD.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rare Offenbach Muisc is a Real Gem, March 28, 2004

By 

Timothy Kearney (Haverhill, MA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Anne Sofie von Otter sings Offenbach (Audio CD)

Jacques Offenbach was a composer who was popular in his day, but his music was not taken all that seriously by more serious composers. After his death, much of his music went into obscurity. Some of the overtures to his operettas survived, as did LA BELLE HELENE and his opera THE TALES OF HOFFMAN, but to this day he is under performed to say the least. While some of his music was adapted for the ballet Gaite Parisienne, if we look at his musical output, all that is remembered of this composer is all relatively small. This is perhaps why this recording by Anne Sophie Von Otter and Les Musiciens du Louvre is such a goldmine.

The disc contains scenes from some Offenbach operettas such as LA BELLE HELENE, LA GRANDE DUCHESSE DE GEROLSTEIN, and LE PERICOLE as well as some of his lesser known works. While most of the music showcases Ms. Von Otter's talent, she is also accompanied by other soloists and a chorus, all of whom perform exceptionally well. Listeners are not only exposed to lesser known works of this composer, but also to the composer's many talents. When we listen to this music, it is not too much of a stretch to see how he could create the masterpiece of TALES OF HOFFMAN (yes, the barcarolle is included).

Certainly people who enjoy this recording will hope that there are revivals of other Offenbach operettas on stage and maybe studio recordings so this great composer can finally have his due.

5.0 out of 5 stars A quite enchanting disc, April 9, 2009

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G.D. (Norway) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Anne Sofie von Otter sings Offenbach (Audio CD)

A quite entertaining and well-planned disc, this one. von Otter is on top form and she is beautifully accompanied in this selection of both famous and less famous Offenbach excerpts. In fact, von Otters impressive ability to bring the appropriate touches of humor to the selections might come as something of a surprise to all those of us used to hear her in more serious repertoire. Here, however, she and the Choeur des Musiciens du Louvre and Les Musiciens du Louvre under Marc Minkowski give spirited, lively performances.

The best performances are also the ones where the music is more vivacious and comic (although the Barcarolle performance is one of the best I've heard), sometimes of more or less completely unknown numbers, such as the exception from Madame L'Archiduc. The selections, by the way, also showcase Offenbach's compositional skills, his sure touch when it comes to color and his wide palette of orchestral techniques to underline and color the humor. The overall conclusion, thus, is the this is very charming, entertaining and surprisingly musically rewarding disc, sure to please anyone who cares to give it a try.