Opéra Comique Collection Volume 1
Adolphe Adam (1803-1856)
Le Postillon de Lonjumeau (1836)
Reynaldo Hahn (1874-1947)
Ciboulette (1923)
Jacques Offenbach (1819-1880)
La Périchole  (1874)
Naxos NBD0189VX Blu-Ray [3 discs: 421]

This delightful collection of Blu-Ray discs brings together an anthology of previously issued videos from Paris’ celebrated Opéra  Comique. There is over seven hours of frothy fun to enjoy and the opportunity to snap these up while they are available should not be missed.

First up is the earliest of the works in this collection, Adam’s Le Postillon de Lonjumeau. It it is the only one of the three works that actually had its premiere at the Opéra  Comique, although it was held at the second site of that fabled institution (on the rue Vivienne, in the 2nd arrondissement)not the historic original site that we would visit today.

Adam’s little farce about the coachman Chapelou is dramatically rather thin even for a comedy. With its irritatingly silly story it probably would have disappeared from memory like much of Adam’s other works, had it not been for the memorable coachman’s aria for Chapelou, with its sprinkling of fearsome high notes. 

In this production the slender story is given an amusing staging by Michel Fau.  Perhaps I am straying into the crusty old critic territory by stating that I find the sets of Emmanuel Charles to be horribly garish and overwhelming, but I readily concede that I might just be in the minority there. Michael Spyres gives an impressive performance in the title role. His singing is secure and shapely but it is really his dramatic engagement in the role that most impressed me. He seems to have entered fully into Fau’s somewhat exaggerated, comedic style. This really is a performance to see as well as hear, especially his smile which gives the impression that Chapelou is just a little bit unhinged.

Florie Valiquette shows a lively stage presence as Madelaine, and even more so once she becomes the opera star of the later acts. Vocally she has a bright and pretty sounding voice although perhaps I am alone in finding that her timbre lacks something of a uniquely memorable characteristic to it. In comparison the old EMI Electrola recording of highlights (in German) featured the witty sounding Ruth Margaret Putz who voice sticks in one’s memory long after the listening is over.

Franck Leguérinel and the rest of the cast are all more than adequate to the demands of their parts. Sébastien Rouland  keeps the musical matters moving along expertly. All in all this is an enjoyable outing but perhaps one of limited appeal for repeat viewing.

Hahn’s most popular stage work Ciboulette is also rather slender stuff but it does have a great deal of charm going for it both in the story and the music. I would say that, in terms of the quality of musical invention, that Hahn’s later work Ô mon bel inconnu (review) has more advantages than Ciboulette. It is a more interesting a work than Ciboulette but the older work has the benefit of one really memorable tune, which unfortunately comes a little late at the very close of the operetta.

This Naxos Blu-ray is a re-release of a much older issue from a different label in 2013 (review). Here Michel Fau’s staging is note-perfect, with lovely stage designs adapted from old sepia photos and charming, inventive costumes. Fau even does a comic drag turn as the Countess Castiglione. Perhaps this is a bit over-the-top but it adds to the fun of the piece.

Julie Fuchs is an adorable Ciboulette and she acts the role with quicksilver comic timing. Vocally she is much more secure sounding than in some of her recent appearances on CD such as Bizet’s Les Pêcheurs de perles (review). Julien Behr is handsome both vocally and visually as the wealthy Antonin. He invests the role with unsophisticated charm and dramatic presence. Ronan Debois is a thoroughly engaging Roger and his gentle baritone is ideal for Zenobie’s paramour. Jean-François Lapointe is delightfully cast as the sentimental older leading man Duparquet. The only disappointment is Eva Ganizate’s Zénobie. While she looks stylish in her outlandish clothes, and she projects the charm and unruly temperament of the character, her voice is just a little too harsh and frayed-sounding above the staff. Laurence Equilbey directs a sprightly zippy account of Hahn’s pastel-like score.

It is Offenbach’s opéra bouffe La Périchole, performed in the 1874 version, which is the pearl of this collection. Valérie Lesort’s stage direction is unfailingly inventive and there is not a dull moment to be found. The sets are imaginative and the costumes take this point even further to real ingenuity.

Stéphanie d’Oustrac invests the heroine with hypnotic charm, pointed delivery and a tangy, zestful vocal timbre. This Périchole is clearly in charge of the situation and her comic desperation when things get away from her is adorable. Philippe Talbot’s Piquillo has an endearing stage persona which makes the street singer appealing, even in his petulant moments. His singing is most agreeable throughout, including a ravishing performance of “On me proposait d’être infâme”. Tassis Christoyannis’ Don Andrès is also bags of fun. The sounds coming from the orchestra pit provide ideal support from conductor Julien Leroy. This disc alone is worth the entire purchase price of the collection although I believe these are all still available in their individual releases.

Previous review of La Périchole only by Ray Walker: (review)

Mike Parr

Buying this recording via the link below generates revenue for MWI, which helps the site remain free

Adolphe Adam (1803-1856)
Le Postillon de Lonjumeau  (1836)
Madelaine/ Madame de Latour – Florie Valiquette (soprano)
Chapelou/ Saint-Phar – Michael Spyes (tenor)
Le Marquis de Corcy – Franck Leguérinel (baritone)
Bijou/ Alcindor – Laurent Kubla (bass-baritone)
Rose – Michel Fau (actor)
Louis XV – Yannis Ezziadi (actor)
Bourdon – Julien Clément (actor)
Chorus Accentus, Opéra  Rouen Normandie
Orchestre de l’Opéra  Rouen Normandie/Sébastien Rouland
Michel Fau (stage direction)
rec. live, 5 & 7 April 2019; Opéra Comique, Paris
[137:00]

Reynaldo Hahn (1874-1947)
Ciboulette  (1923)
Ciboulette – Julie Fuchs (soprano)
Antonin – Julien Behr (tenor)
Duparquet – Jean-François Lapointe (baritone)
Zénobie – Eva Ganizate (mezzo)
Roger – Ronan Debois (baritone)
Accentus (chorus)
Orchestre Symphonique de l’Opéra de Toulon/Laurence Equilbey
Michel Fau (stage direction)
rec. live, 20 & 22 February 2013; Opéra Comique, Paris
[145:00]

Jacques Offenbach (1819-1880)
La Périchole (1868, revised 1874)
La Périchole – Stéphanie d’Oustrac (mezzo soprano)
Piquillo – Philippe Talbot (tenor)
Don Andrès de Ribeira – Tassis Christoyannis (baritone)
Don Miguel de Panatellas – Eric Huchet (tenor)
Don Pedro de Hinoyosa – Lionel Peintre (baritone)
Choeur Les éléments
Orchestre de chambre de Paris/Julien Leroy 
rec. live 17 & 19 May 2022, Opéra-Comique, Paris
[219]

Technical details
Region A, B, C
Screen ratio 16:9,
Audio: PCM 2.0 and DTS 5.1 HD Master Audio
Subtitles in English, French, German, Japanese, Korean