TV Standard: NTSC
Color: Colour

Credits:

Offenbach (1819-1880)

Description:

Offenbach's production specialist, Roland Perry, presents "Bluebeard," a satirical and hilarious play! Daphnis (actually Prince Saphir), a shepherd in the village, and Fleurette (actually Princess Hermia), a flower vendor, are officially lovers and are still talking about their love today. They are now in love, but then Blot, a cowherd's daughter, arrives. While she is flirting with Daphnis, Popolani, an alchemist, appears. He tells her that he has come to find Bluebeard's sixth wife. The winner of the raffle is Blot. Count Oskar, the chief secretary of King Bovèche, is there and discovers that the basket used for the raffle belongs to the royal family. Count Oskar, who had previously searched for the princess who had been swept away by the river, is convinced that the basket's owner, Fleurette, is the missing princess, Hermia. Just as he is about to return to the royal palace with her, Lord Bluebeard, who has come looking for a new wife, falls in love with Fleurette at first sight. However, Popolani tells Bluebeard that his new wife has been chosen by lot... This piece is a complete parody based on Perrault's fairy tale "Bluebeard". At the time of composition, Napoleon III, the emperor of France's Second Empire, was known for his unparalleled love of fishing. This work was a sharp satire on Napoleon III and other reigning figures, and the comically depicted characters were meant to be funny and to vent the resentment of the citizens.This production at the Opera de Lyon was directed by Roland Perry, known for his creative direction. He has succeeded in placing the characters with strong personalities on a modern stage and adding a unique sense of humor to the seemingly cruel storyline. The title role is sung by French tenor Yann Bronn. His sweet and beautiful voice enhances the peculiar character of "Bluebeard. The lovely Fleurette is soprano Jennifer Courcier, who is popular mainly in France. And as Blot, the driving force of the story, is Eloise Mas, who captivates the audience with her tasteful singing and acting that evokes a unique richness. The newcomer Michele Spotti's fluid and lively baton brings out the full charm of Offenbach's joyful music from the orchestra, singers, and chorus. Special features include a 50-minute documentary, "The Offenbach Story," by master classical documentarian Rainer Moritz. The documentary includes a 50-minute documentary on Offenbach's life and the fascination of his works by directors Roland Perry and Barry Kosky, conductor Enrique Mazzola, singers Felicity Lott and Jan Bronn, and others, with stage footage of their own participation ("Elaine the Beauty," "Heaven and Hell," "Bluebeard" and "The Tales of Hoffmann"). The film is a must-see. Naxos Japan