Customer Reviews

Offenbach: La Grande Duchesse de Gerolstein [Australia]

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I bought this recording years ago on vinyls and have searched for it on CD for years. This was one of Madame Crespin's last recordings and it has an all star cast. The stars are all star quality French singers. Madame Crespin is almost seductive as the Grande Duchesse. Remember that the original singer of this role created a traffic jam in downtown Paris, that only allowed her to pass when she announced herself as La Grande Duchesse de Gerolstein! Robert Massard as General Boum is hysterical! This is the man who sang Escamillo to Callas' Carmen. Alain Vanzo was one of the leading singers of Toulouse opera at the time, and Mady Mesple is remembered for her Lakme and Jemmy in Guillaume Tell. Michel Plasson was the director of music for the Toulouse opera where this was made, and it has that light french touch, and the recording almost comes across as live! This recording shipped from Australia and all the notes in the enclosed booklet are in French, which fortunately I speak and read. An anglophile might be held to just enjoying the sound recording. That's the only draw back. Otherwise, a great purchase which I will enjoy for years!