This Opera de Lyon production is completely satisfying and gets better watched a second, third or tenth time.
Unlike some Offenbach productions, from Savary in particular, this version does away with elaborate sets and superfluous stage action. Instead it concentrates on the brilliant music, given here with brisk tempi and considerable verve, and the clever and cynical libretto.
The principals all give spirited performances - Delevault(Metella) Mazin(Gabrielle) and Sivadier(Gardefeu) are the standouts while Chatelais(Gondremarck) adds some subtlety to his role as the frustrated philanderer.
Buy it !!
