OFFENBACH: Orphee aux Enfers (Lyon Opera, 1997) (PAL)

Jacques Offenbach
ORPHÉE AUX ENFERS

Eurydice - Natalie Dessay
Orphée - Yann Beuron
Asistée - Pluton - Jean-Paul Fouchecourt
Jupiter - Laurent Naouri
L'Opinion Publique - Martine Olmeda
and other singers

Chorus and Orchestra of the Opéra National de Lyon
Grenoble Chamber Orchestra
Ballet du Grand-Théâtre de Genève
Marc Minkowski, conductor

Laurent Pelly, stage director

Recorded at the Opéra National de Lyon, December 1997

Picture format: PAL 16:9
Sound format: LPCM Stereo / Dolby Digital 5.1 / DTS 5.1
Region code: 0
Subtitles: English, German, French, Spanish, Italian
Running time: 123 mins
No. of DVDs: 1 (DVD-9)

"Minkowski's reading demands adjectives: frenetic, exhilarating, ebullient and brilliant will do for starters" Opera Japonica

This 1997 version of Offenbach's operetta classic serves up a veritable banquet for eyes and ears, with the irrepressible Natalie Dessay in the role of Eurydice and Yann Beuron as Orpheus providing a display of vocal and verbal pyrotechnics.

The viewer is left feeling exhausted by the sheer pace of action, as the production takes ironic sideswipes at morality and immorality. Its exuberant disregard for convention in its choreography, costume and direction - Pluto, for example, arrives on skis from the underworld onto Mt. Olympus - never fails to delight. Laurent Naouri also captivates in the role of Jupiter and, costumed as a fly, demonstrates his vocal and acting talent with Offenbach's "Buzz" aria.

"This music rivals Rossini's in its sheer catchiness. The Choeur & Orchestre de l'Opera National de Lyon performs it superbly, never letting up on its frenetic pace. Even the recitatives - and there are many - breeze by, aided by snatches of indignation, accusation, and general over-the-top acting." www.classical.net

"Dessay's voice is a wonder: crystal clear, devastatingly accurate, and with a remarkable power and flexibility… no hint of strain even at the outer limits" www.bbc.co.uk