Offenbach - La Grande Duchesse de Gérolstein
Lott; Piau; Beuron; Le Guerinel
Choeur des Musiciens du Louvre; Les Musiciens du Louvre / Minkowski
Virgin Classics 545 7342 (2CD)

Release date September 2005

The influence and importance of Jacques Offenbach’s music is perhaps underestimated by some musical bigwigs of today. But his role in propagating operetta in Europe is undeniable, and his masterly way with this genre finds reflection in the music of Arthur Sullivan, Franz Léhar, Johann Strauss and Erich Kálmán. When this opera bouffe was first performed, Offenbach was enjoying huge popularity after the success of La Vie Parisienne and as a result, La Grande Duchesse was mounted as part of the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1867, and seen by more sovereigns than you can shake a stick at. (Imagine that today!!). Controversy was not far away, as the piece, with a witty libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, takes a satirical look at those military and courtly establishments which were soon to embark upon the Franco-Prussian war. The French censors were concerned that the Grande Duchesse’s military appearance ridiculed “the Sovereign Power”. Her unseemly behaviour towards both Soldier Fritz and Baron Grog had them shaking their heads. Goodness knows what they made of the moustachioed and be-plumed General Boum, whose character inspires the funniest music in the piece. “Pif paf, pouf” is his response when his plume gets in the way of kissing the ladies after his success in battle, and he shouts “Vive moi” as he leaves for the next sortie. Eventually, La Grande Duchesse was banned by Provisional President Adolphe Thiers in the 1870’s, but for the moment, audiences, including Bismarck and Tsar Alexander II, were kept amused (albeit cautiously in the case of the latter, as there was a distinct reference to Catherine the Great in the costume of Hortense Schneider, the leading lady of the time). Felicity Lott stars in this recording, and is absolutely delightful. She has the style in her bones, and her over-sexed Duchesse is very funny. Sandrine Piau is a cheerful Wanda, a Susannah-like figure who is drooled over by grubby old General Boum, and adored by her bolshie soldier Fritz, played by lyric tenor Yann Beuron, who made a great impression in Minkowski’s admired recording of Orphée aux Enfers. The smaller comic parts are well characterised, particularly François le Roux as General Boum, and the lovely tenor of Erich Huchet as the conniving Prince Paul. But the chorus are such an integral part of this piece, they must be given just appreciation; what a talented and enthusiastic group! Marc Minkowski keeps the pace rocketing along, and fine-tunes the comedy. This production will be out on DVD before the end of the year. Tara papa poum!

Kate Grue