Jacques Offenbach had already achieved fame as an operetta composer by 1866, but that year’s premiere of La Vie parisienne was his first portrayal of contemporary Parisian life. With its tale of romantic intrigues, disguises and comic celebrations of the mad gaiety of life in the French capital, La Vie parisienne became popular in the nation’s theatres, but not after a hasty re-working of its final acts after protests from the original performers. With significant new musical discoveries and the final acts restored, this opéra-bouffe masterpiece now speaks for itself given the resources of a superb cast and Christian Lacroix’s colourful and much acclaimed Bru Zane France production.

Offenbach’s La Vie parisienne is a classic of the French operetta tradition and has remained justifiably popular since its premiere, with several DVD and CD recordings available today. This release brims with the lively energy we expect from Offenbach, with colourful decor and costumes by Christian Lacroix and the excellent Musiciens du Louvre directed by Romain Dumas, but it also has the advantage of far-reaching research and a new edition from La Palazzetto Bru Zane.


‘The cast is quite good, and because of the new version, there are two main roles, remarkably held by Franck Leguérinel (The Baron of Gondremarck) and Jodie Devos (Gabrielle). We know the comic vein and the sense of the scene of the first, whose strong and expressive voice serves a first-rate interpretation. The second is funny and sparkling, the voice is clear, and the character is made completely believable, especially since both of them have perfect diction… in summary, all those who do not know La Vie parisienne absolutely must go see this production.’ – Forumopera.com

Cast:
- Gabrielle: Jodie Devos (soprano)
- Gardefeu: Rodolphe Briand (tenor)
- Bobinet: Marc Mauillon (baritone)
- Le Baron de Gondremarck: Franck Leguérinel (baritone)
- La Baronne de Gondremarck: Sandrine Buendia (soprano)
- Métella: Aude Extrémo (mezzo-soprano)