Stars: Anne-Sofie Von Otter, Magali Leger, Stephanie D'Oustrac, Gilles Ragon, Laurent Naouri, Jean Christophe Henry, Christophe Grapperon, Franck Versini

Director: Oliver Becker

Summary: A programme of the music of Offenbach from the Theatre De Chatelet under the musical direction of Marc Minkowski. Works include: La Grand Duchesse De Gerolstein, Souvenirs d'Aix-les-Bains, Fantasio, Le Carnaval des Revues, La Belle Helene, Barbe Bleue, Lischen et Fritzchen, La Vie Parisienne and La Fille du Tambour Major.

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Offenbach composed over 100 operettas, and yet is primarily remembered now only for The Tales of Hoffmanand for having written the "Can-Can". This live Concert of Music by Offenbachaims to put the record straight and show that at least some of his other works deserve the chance to be staged. Fortunately the composer has found almost ideal advocates in conductor Marc Minkowski and mezzo Anne Sofie von Otter. The latter takes a respectful but unstuffy approach to the scores (the orchestral numbers Souvenirs d'Aix-les-Bainsand the Barbe Bleue Ouvertureare played with exquisite attention to detail, especially in some sighing woodwind solos) and von Otter shows that she is as great a comedienne as she is a singer. From the blowsy Grande Duchesse de Gerolstein declaring her love for soldiers in tight uniforms to the outrageous yodelling of the Colonel's Widow from La Vie Parisienne, she hits just the right note of inspired lunacy and frothiness. And there are some delicious costume changes too, including a grotesque bumpkin hat that's almost as big as the mezzo herself ("Duo des Alsaciens"). There's even more unintentional comedy in the English subtitles, which must be among the worst ever produced: "myself every night what I do coming here to seat" is one solipsistic oddity. Oliver Becker directs well for the small screen, capturing the fizz of a lively event.

On the DVD:A Concert of Music by Offenbachis presented in 4:3 ratio, with LPCM Stereo, AC3 Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1 sound options. The picture quality is fine, although the foreground and background of the stage seem to be presented in one rather flat surface. There are subtitles in English, German, French, Spanish and Italian. --Warwick Thompson

Aspect Ratio:	4:3
Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Subtitles:	English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
Year:	2001
Release Date:	December 2, 2002
Runtime:	87 minutes
Certification:	Exempt.
Catalogue Number:	D V O P J O F
Keywords:	Special, Tales, Music, Aux, Concert, Works, Contes, Orchestral, Orphee, Orpheus, Underworld, Classical, Offenbach, Performing, Arts, Hoffmann, D'hoffmann, Enfers
Genre:	Music/Performing Arts