La Vie Parisienne 32 years old

La Vie Parisienne (1991) Opéra National de Lyon. Offenbach / French

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.

Credits

La Vie Parisienne Cast

Name Character
Pierre Berriau as Prosper
Jean-François Sivadier as Raoul de Gardefeu
Claire Wauthion She was 46, now 78 years old as Baronne de Gondremarck
Pierre-François Pistorio He was 34, now 67 years old as Le brésilien
Jean-Yves Chatelais He was 38, 65 years old when he died as Baron de Gondremarck
Caroline Chaniolleau as Leonie

La Vie Parisienne Crew

Name Department
Jacques Offenbach as Original Music Composer. He was 172 (61) years old when He died Sound
Ludovic Halévy as Writer. He was 157 (74) years old when He died Writing
La Vie Parisienne poster
La Vie Parisienne (32 years)

La Vie Parisienne (1991) Opéra National de Lyon. Offenbach / French

  • Release day: Sunday, December 01, 1991
  • Runtime: 159 minutes