Customer Reviews

La Vie Parisienne

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This recording is not for the purists, yet there is more of Offenbach's original 5 act score recorded in this version than on any other. In fact the score is virtually complete. But be prepared for some shocks. Most of the original keys are used but many of the women sing an octave lower than written: Imagine Metella sung by Lotte Lenya and prepare to have the breath knocked out of you by Bobinet - the countertenor! (of sorts). The new orchestration bears no resemblance to Offenbach's but from the opening train imitations to the hilarious ending, extraordinary invention abounds. This is a live performance and the audience is obviously having a great time. Which leads me to the conclusion that what this performance offers is a real sense of the spirit that the librettists and composer wrote into their work. After all, except for the role of Gabrielle (which is here performed by an excellent 'legitimate' coloratura/soubrette), the piece was written for actors, not singers, accompanied by an orchestra of no more than 30. The whole thing is very infectious. You be the judge whether this is a good infection, but let me recommend that you give it a try. Unless you are very uptight you'll be laughing in no time at all. If only there were a video!

What a crime for any fan of Offenbach to miss out on this wonderfull recording of one of Jaques treasures! The EMI recording of Plassons take on this opera does not hold a feather next this version (Though it is an indeed worthy and beautiful recording)! There are very few recordings that capture the fun as well as the magnificance of Offenbach as this recording does. It is sung in german and comes with a smaller orchestra, but the translation is very well done! Anybody who calls themselves a devout fan of Offenbach will definitely appreciate this CD. To this I swear...