Stars: Helene Delavault, Claire Wauthion, Isabelle Mazin, Lyon Opera Chorus, Lyon Opera Orchestra, Jean-Yves Ossonce

Director: Alain Francon

Summary: Alain Francon's staging of the original version of Offenbach's opera.

Jacques Offenbach's five-act opera of swirling Parisian hedonism stars the great Helene DeLavault. This Opera National de Lyon production is one of the most famous and acclaimed.

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Offenbach's 1867 La Vie Parisienneis perhaps the quintessential French comic operetta: a broad satire on Paris society set against the backdrop of the 1867 Exposition and the descent of easily lampooned foreigners on to the city; sharp moments that Molière would be proud of; undercurrents of quick-fire farce, confusion, lust and mistaken identity; and a rich cast of characters racing inexorably to a can-can finale.

This 1991 production by the Lyon National Opera presents a welcome opportunity to revel in a uniquely Gallic confection rarely seen outside France. It's also a chance to enjoy one of Offenbach's most inventive, melodic scores in which the starring musical role and many of the best tunes go to the orchestra, here conducted by Jean-Yves Ossonce. This is no accident: the operetta was originally created for a company of actors who relied on pastiche and the composer's help to get them through their "numbers". Not so these singers, of course. As Metella, the languorous courtesan who is responsible for the unravelling debacle, Helene Delavault is in meltingly good voice for her show-stopping rondeau, "A minuit sonnant commence la fete". Her sparring suitors Gardefeu (Jean-Francois Sivadier) and, particularly, Bobinet (Jacques Verzier) combine marvellous visual comedy with fluid singing and there is some dazzling vocal work from the supporting cast. It's a long piece, but hugely enjoyable.

On the DVD:La Vie Parisiennehas the usual, excellent booklet notes of ArtHaus DVD releases, which go some way to compensate for a disappointing lack of extras. Time, surely, to introduce some on-screen history or cross-references to other relevant works. The picture quality is good and sharp, although the 4:3 format does little justice to Carlo Tommasi's sweeping, stylish sets. The PCM Stereo soundtrack provides an adequate orchestral experience while managing to muffle much of the spoken dialogue. --Piers Ford

Aspect Ratio:	4:3
Region:	Region 2
Subtitles:	English, French, German, Spanish
Year:	1991
Release Date:	March 4, 2002
Runtime:	159 minutes
Certification:	Exempt.
Catalogue Number:	100 274
Keywords:	Music, Opera, Two, Vie, Works, Stage, Parisienne, Classical, La, Offenbach, Performing, Operetta, Discs, Arts
Genre:	Music/Performing Arts