La Vie Parisienne

This 1991 production by the Lyon National Opera presents a welcome opportunity to revel in a uniquely Gallic confection rarely seen outside France Its also a chance to enjoy one of Offenbachs most inventive melodic scores in which the starring musical role and many of the best tunes go to the orchestra here conducted by JeanYves Ossonce This is no accident the operetta was originally created for a company of actors who relied on pastiche and the composers 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 showstopping rondeau A minuit sonnant commence la fete Her sparring suitors Gardefeu JeanFrancois Sivadier and particularly Bobinet Jacques Verzier combine marvellous visual comedy with fluid singing and there is some dazzling vocal work from the supporting cast Its a long piece but hugely enjoyable