Customer Reviews

Superb - By: David M. Calvert-Orange, 12 May 2010
Rather like a cross between Covent Garden's latest Daughter of the Regiment & La vie Parisienne! It is a gem & a bargain for the price.

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The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein - By: Mr. John S. Roach, 27 Apr 2010
This is an excellent DVD starring Felicity Lott, an amazing Mezzo soprano. The overall production is cleverly presented with an imaginative set. It should place Offenbach on a stage with a much higher profile than he normally receives.

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Brilliant good fun! - By: , 02 Feb 2006
I had never heard of this opera until I saw it on French television a year ago & was totally spellbound - I couldn't wait for it to be available on DVD. It is guaranteed to cheer you up - the music, the lyrics & the choreography are all excellent & Dame Felicity Lott is outstanding. There are lots of very interesting things going onin the background too with the chorus - keep your eyes peeled for the unusual headgear & props by some of the soldiers!

Well worth the money.

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The way musical theatre should be - By: Offenbach Fan, 12 Jan 2006
Once again the artistic coupling of Marc Minkowski & Laurent Pelly have dished up another serving of Offenbach's finest. Whether you will like this production will ultimately depend on your taste for Offenbach's music, although Messers M & L employ all their usual tricks to enhance your enjoyment. Those who have seen previous productions will know what I mean; the 3 dimensional sets, their use of dancers throughout & a frenetic fluidity & pace.

Admittedly this music is not as recognisable as Orpheus or La Belle Helene although there are some great foot tapping tunes, the usual patter songs & at no time does the music ever become turgid or drift aimlessly. Casting is superb, with Yann Beuron puttingin his finest performance to date & wonderful singing from Felicity Lott. Also notable are the grotesque make up jobs on many of the characters.

I love this production & sincerely hope you will to. One final word, look out for the hilarious slapstick dance sequence between the 3rd & 4th tableau.

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Related Titles

Other DVDs related to Jacques Offenbach - La Grande-Duchesse de Gérolstein / Lott, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Minkowski, Laurent Pelly [Châtelet 2005] [DVD] [2006] include:

• Jacqus Offenbach - La vie parisienne / Sébastien Rouland, Laurent Pelly [Opéra de Lyon 2007] [DVD] [2008]
• Gaetano Donizetti - La Fille du régiment / Dessay, Florez, Palmer, Corbelli, French, Campanella, Pelly (Royal Opera House 2007) [DVD] [2008]
• Offenbach: Orpheus (Live Recording From The Opera National De Lyon; 1997) [DVD] [2009] [NTSC]
• Offenbach: La Belle Helene [DVD] [2000]
• Gioachino Rossini - Il barbiere di Siviglia (Royal Opera House, Covent Garden 2008) [DVD] [2010] [NTSC]