CD-Charts Position 1

La Traviata in Paris (La Traviata) [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - Italy ]

directed by: Pierre Cavassilas, Giuseppe Patroni Griffi

Release Date

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Offenbach - La Vie Parisienne / Ossonce, DeLavault, Opera National de Lyon

starring: Hélène Delavault, Claire Wauthion, Isabelle Mazin, Jean-Yves Chatelais, Jean-Francois Sivadier
directed by: Pierre Cavassilas

Release Date November 20, 2001
As a musical piece, this French operetta is simply outstanding! It has a lot of spectacular arias and scenes that are worth listening to.
However, this production from the Opera National De Lyon, does not do a good job of bringing the piece to life. One cannot do a great job of comparing this production to another mainly because there isn't another DVD of this operetta. However, it is evident that this production has some flaws:
1. The singers in this production are clearly Amateurs; they do not sound perfect and a lot of times they produce a very "bland" sound that can be displeasing.

2. The set of this Operetta is also very plain. An operetta that takes place in Paris and depicts the "Parisienne" life should invest ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Some Tales of Hoffmann [Region 2]

starring: Daniel Galvez-Vallejo, José van Dam, Natalie Dessay, Barbara Hendricks, Isabelle Vernet
directed by: Pierre Cavassilas

Release Date
There are several reason you may want to own that DVD.
First of all: Natalie Dessay. She is incredible. So much nuances and clear control of the voice! Not to mention she is adding two high G (same in the CD version) and one high high A flat (not in the CD version)without any strain.
Second, the marvelous Barbara Hendricks, loveliest Antonia with a vibrato more controled than usually. Beside her high C sharp at the end of the trio which seems a bit thight to my ears, the colour of the voice is opulent.
Third, the Van Dam-Bacquier duo with perfect style, "intelligence de la scène".
Galvez-Vallejo is an adequate Hoffmann but not a revelation. However you have to think that it was a non stop evening which is quite a marathon for the tenor, Hoffmann ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Offenbach - Des contes d'Hoffmann (Some Tales of Hoffmann) / Nagano, Galvez-Vallejo, Dessay, Lyon Opera

starring: Daniel Galvez-Vallejo, José van Dam, Natalie Dessay, Barbara Hendricks, Isabelle Vernet
directed by: Pierre Cavassilas

Release Date October 26, 1999
There are several reason you may want to own that DVD.
First of all: Natalie Dessay. She is incredible. So much nuances and clear control of the voice! Not to mention she is adding two high G (same in the CD version) and one high high A flat (not in the CD version)without any strain.
Second, the marvelous Barbara Hendricks, loveliest Antonia with a vibrato more controled than usually. Beside her high C sharp at the end of the trio which seems a bit thight to my ears, the colour of the voice is opulent.
Third, the Van Dam-Bacquier duo with perfect style, "intelligence de la scène".
Galvez-Vallejo is an adequate Hoffmann but not a revelation. However you have to think that it was a non stop evening which is quite a marathon for the tenor, Hoffmann being one of the heaviest ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

La Vie parisienne [Region 2]

starring: Hélène Delavault, Claire Wauthion, Isabelle Mazin, Jean-Yves Chatelais, Jean-Francois Sivadier
directed by: Pierre Cavassilas

Release Date
As a musical piece, this French operetta is simply outstanding! It has a lot of spectacular arias and scenes that are worth listening to.
However, this production from the Opera National De Lyon, does not do a good job of bringing the piece to life. One cannot do a great job of comparing this production to another mainly because there isn't another DVD of this operetta. However, it is evident that this production has some flaws:
1. The singers in this production are clearly Amateurs; they do not sound perfect and a lot of times they produce a very "bland" sound that can be displeasing.

2. The set of this Operetta is also very plain. An operetta that takes place in Paris and depicts the "Parisienne" life should invest in some more expensive sets! Also if you decide to make a modern version of ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Falstaff

starring: Ambrosio Maestri, Roberto Frontali, Juan Diego Flórez, Barbara Frittoli, Inva Mula
directed by: Pierre Cavassilas

Release Date
As a musical piece, this French operetta is simply outstanding! It has a lot of spectacular arias and scenes that are worth listening to.
However, this production from the Opera National De Lyon, does not do a good job of bringing the piece to life. One cannot do a great job of comparing this production to another mainly because there isn't another DVD of this operetta. However, it is evident that this production has some flaws:
1. The singers in this production are clearly Amateurs; they do not sound perfect and a lot of times they produce a very "bland" sound that can be displeasing.

2. The set of this Operetta is also very plain. An operetta that takes place in Paris and depicts the "Parisienne" life should invest in some more expensive sets! Also if you decide to make a modern version of ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Rigoletto

starring: Aquiles Machado, Leo Nucci, Inva Mula, Mario Luperi, Sarah M'Punga
directed by: Pierre Cavassilas

Release Date
As a musical piece, this French operetta is simply outstanding! It has a lot of spectacular arias and scenes that are worth listening to.
However, this production from the Opera National De Lyon, does not do a good job of bringing the piece to life. One cannot do a great job of comparing this production to another mainly because there isn't another DVD of this operetta. However, it is evident that this production has some flaws:
1. The singers in this production are clearly Amateurs; they do not sound perfect and a lot of times they produce a very "bland" sound that can be displeasing.

2. The set of this Operetta is also very plain. An operetta that takes place in Paris and depicts the "Parisienne" life should invest in some more expensive sets! Also if you decide to make a modern version of ... Read More: