OFFENBACH: THREE OPERAS - MINKOWSKI (6 CDS)

Three sparkling operettas that exemplify Offenbach's irresistible joie de vivre and biting satirical wit. All linked to theatrical productions by Laurent Pelly - a director noted for his comic flair - these recordings offer some rediscovered numbers, since they use specially-prepared editions of the scores. Marc Minkowski conducts with an inimitable and authentic sense of style, while the casts boast such singers as Natalie Dessay, Felicity Lott, Patricia Petibon, Véronique Gens, Yann Beuron, Michel Sénéchal and Laurent Naouri.

Offenbach: Orphée aux Enfers
Jean-Paul Fouchécourt (Pluton-Aristée), Laurent Naouri (Jupiter), Steven Cole (John Styx), Etienne Lescroart (Mercure), Yann Beuron (Orphée), Natalie Dessay (Euridice), Patricia Petibon (Cupidon), Jennifer Smith (Diane), Ewa Podles (L'Opinion Publique), Lydie Pruvot (Junon), Véronique Gens (Vénus), Virginie Pochon (Minerve)
Choeur des Musiciens du Louvre, Les Musiciens du Louvre-Grenoble
Marc Minkowski

Offenbach: La Belle Helène
Yann Beuron (Pâris), Michel Sénéchal (Ménélas), Laurent Naouri (Agamemnon), François Le Roux (Calchas), Eric Huchet (Achille), Marie-Ange Todorovitch (Oreste), Alain Gabriel (Ajax I), Laurent Alvaro (Ajax II), Felicity Lott (Hélène), Hjördis Thébault (Bacchis), Stéphanie d' Oustrac (Léoena), Magali Léger (Parthénis), Josè Canalès (Philocome)
Choeur des Musiciens du Louvre, Les Musiciens du Louvre-Grenoble
Marc Minkowski

Offenbach: La Grande-Duchesse de Gérolstein
Felicity Lott (La Grande-Duchesse), Sandrine Piau (Wanda), Yann Beuron (Fritz), Franck Leguerinel (Le Baron Puck), Eric Huchet (Le Prince Paul), Francois Le Roux (Le General Boum), Boris Grappe (Le Baron Grog), Alain Gabriel (Nepomuc), Mayline Fallot (Iza), Blandine Staskiewicz (Olga), Jennifer Tani (Charlotte), Aurelia Legay (Amelie), Christophe Grapperon (Le Notaire)
Choeur des Musiciens du Louvre, Les Musiciens du Louvre-Grenoble
Marc Minkowski