La Périchole (1982) Online

La Perichole is not one of Offenbach's best works like Les Contes D'Hoffmann and La Belle Helene but it is still a more than worthwhile work largely due to its music. And this is a wonderful production of it, the picture quality could have been sharper but it doesn't detract too much from the actual performance itself. The costumes and sets are traditional and sumptuous without being too fussy or fancy, while the staging is intelligent and with some lovely comedic touches and the poignant moments of Act 3 genuinely so. The orchestral playing is perfectly fitting with the charming satirical nature of the story, and the conducting keeps things moving very nicely. The ensembles are beautifully blended also. The three leads are right on the money. Neil Rosenshein is the principal I am least familiar with, but he is still very good. I like Maria Ewing very much, especially as Cherubino and Carmen, and she is to her usual standard which is wonderful, she is a fine actress and sings like a nightingale. Gabriel Bacquier has a voice of real beauty and character, and that is the case in both his singing and acting. All in all, wonderful. 10/10 Bethany Cox