Un Jour, Une Vie [Import]

Product Description
Recorded Live at Paris' Bercy in 2002 with the Help of Spacial Guests: Isabelle Boulay, Alice Dona, Lena Ka and Yves Gilbert.

Un Jour, Une Vie,Serge Lama,Wea International,France,Int'l & World Music,Pop,World Music

Average customer rating: Not a flawless version, but one to be REALLY loved The best of a mediocre-to-bad lot Hoffman contines to elude the recording world Excellent but not definitive O Dieu, de quelle ivresse embrasse-tu mon âme?

Offenbach - Les Contes d'Hoffmann / Alagna, van Dam, Dessay, Vaduva, Jo, Lascarro, Dubosc, Ragon, Sénéchal, Bacquier, Lamprecht, Nagano Jacques Offenbach , Roberto Alagna , Natalie Dessay , Kent Nagano , Choeur et Orchestre de l'Opéra National de Lyon , Leontina Vaduva , Sumi Jo , José van Dam , Catherine Dubosc , Gilles Ragon , Gabriel Bacquier , Doris Lamprecht , and Juanita Lascarro Manufacturer: Erato ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Offenbach | Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Alagna, Roberto | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Donizetti: Lucie de Lammermoor; Natalie Dessay, Roberto Alagna Russian Album ASIN: B000005E4D Release Date: 1996-10-29

Tracks:

1. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Prelude - Kent Nagano
2. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Act 1, Scene 1: Glou! Glou! - Kent Nagano
3. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Couplets de la muse: La verite, dit-on, sortait d'un puits - Kent Nagano
4. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Elle est sur la scene, un peuple l'acclame - La Muse - Kent Nagano
5. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 2: Le conseiller Lindorf, morbleu! - Lindorf, Andres - Kent Nagano
6. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 3: Vayons? Pour Hoffmann! - Kent Nagano
7. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Couplets: Dans les roles d'amoureux - Kent Nagano
8. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Deux heures devant moi - Scene 4: Vite, vite, qu'on se remue! - Lindorf, Luther - Kent Nagano
9. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 5: Choeur des Etudiants - Drig, drig - Kent Nagano
10. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Vrai Dieu! Mes amis - Kent Nagano
11. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Eh! Luther! Ma grosse tonne - Lindorf, Luther, Nathanael, Hermann, Wolfram, Wilhelm - Kent Nagano
12. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 6: Bonjour, amis! - Kent Nagano
13. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Couplets and Andante: Va pour Kleinzach! - Kent Nagano
14. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Peuh! Cette biere est detestable! - Kent Nagano
15. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Duo: Et par ou votre Diablerie - Kent Nagano
16. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Simple echange de politesse - Kent Nagano
17. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Je vous dis, moi - Kent Nagano
18. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Ma maitresse? - Kent Nagano
19. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Final: Messieurs, on va lever le rideau! - Hoffmann, Nicklausse, Lindorf, Luther, Nathanael, Hermann, Wolfram, Wilhelm - Kent Nagano
20. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Act 2: Entracte - Kent Nagano
21. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 1: La! Dors en paix - Spalanzani - Scene 2: Ah! Bonjour! Enchacte! - Spalanzani, Hoffmann - Scene 3: Fais allumer partout! - Spalanzani, Cochenille - Kent Nagano
22. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 4: Allons! Courage et confiance! - Kent Nagano
23. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Pardieu! J'etais bien sur - Kent Nagano
24. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Couplets: Une poupee aux yeux d'email - Nicklausse, Hoffmann - Kent Nagano
25. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 5: C'est moi, Coppelius! - Kent Nagano
26. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Je me nomme Coppelius - Kent Nagano
27. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: J'ai deux jeux, de beaux yeux - Kent Nagano
28. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Serviteur - Kent Nagano
29. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Ah! Ange du ciel, est-ce bien toi? - Nicklausse, Hoffmann, Coppelius - Kent Nagano
30. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 6: Hein! Vous! - Hoffmann, Coppelius, Spalanzani - Kent Nagano
31. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 7: Choeur des Invites: Non aucun hote vraiment - Kent Nagano
32. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Vous serez satisfaits, messieurs - Hoffmann, Spalanzani, Nicklausse - Kent Nagano
33. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 8: Mesdames et Messieurs - Kent Nagano
34. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Mesdames et Meisseurs, fiere de vos bravos - Kent Nagano
35. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Air: Les oiseaux dans la charmille - Kent Nagano
36. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Ah! Mon ami! Quel accent! - Hoffmann, Spalanzani, Nicklausse, Olympia, Cochenille - Kent Nagano
37. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 9: Ils se sont eloignes! Enfin! - Kent Nagano
38. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Ah! Vivre deux! - Kent Nagano
39. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Tu me fuis? - Hoffmann, Olympia - Scene 10: Eh! morbleu! modere ton zele! - Hoffmann, Nicklausse - Kent Nagano
40. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 11: Voleur! Brigand! Quelle deroute! - Coppelius - Kent Nagano
41. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 12: En place les danseurs - Kent Nagano
42. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Voila! Assez, assez, ma fille - Kent Nagano
43. Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Ah! Quoi? L'homme aux lunettes, la! - Spalanzani, Cochenille, Hoffmann, Olympia, Nicklausse, Coppelius - Kent Nagano

Tracks:

1. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act 3: Entracte - Jacques Offenbach
2. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 1: Elle a fui, la tourterelle - Antonia - Jacques Offenbach
3. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 2: Malheureuse enfant! - Crespel, Antonia - Scene 3: Desespoir! Tout a l'heure, encore! - Crespel - Scene 4: Frantz! n'ouvre a personne! - Crespel, Frantz - Jacques Offenbach
4. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 5: Jour et nuit je me mets en quatre - Frantz - Jacques Offenbach
5. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 6: Frantz, c'est ici! - Hoffmann, Frantz - Jacques Offenbach
6. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 7: Enfin je vais savoir pourquoi - Jacques Offenbach
7. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Romance: Vois sous l'archet fremissant - Jacques Offenbach
8. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: C'est une chanson d'amour - Hoffmann, Antonia, Nicklausse - Jacques Offenbach
9. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 8: Ah! Je le savais bien - Jacques Offenbach
10. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Ah! J'ai le bonheur dans l'ame - Jacques Offenbach
11. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Pourtant, o ma fiancee - Jacques Offenbach
12. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Viens la comme autrefois - Jacques Offenbach
13. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Qu'as-tu donc? - Antonia, Hoffmann - Scene 9: Rien! J'ai cru qu'Hoffmann etait ici! - Hoffmann, Crespel, Frantz, Miracle - Jacques Offenbach
14. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 10: Pour conjurer la danger - Jacques Offenbach
15. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Allons, parle! et sois bref! - Jacques Offenbach
16. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: J'ai la certains flacons - Miracle, Crespel, Hoffmann, Antonia - Jacques Offenbach
17. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 11: Ne plus chanter - Hoffmann, Antonia - Jacques Offenbach
18. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 12: Tu ne chanteras plus? - Jacques Offenbach
19. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Ah! Quelle est cette voix? - Jacques Offenbach
20. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Ta mere, oses-tu l'interroger? - Jacques Offenbach
21. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Non! Assez! - Jacques Offenbach
22. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Ja cede au transport qui m'enivre! - Miracle, Antonia, La Voix - Jacques Offenbach
23. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 13: Mon enfant, ma fille! - Crespel, Antonia, Hoffmann, Nicklausse, Miracle - Jacques Offenbach

Tracks:

1. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act IV: Entracte - Jacques Offenbach
2. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 1: Messieurs, silence! - Jacques Offenbach
3. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Recit et Chant bachique: Et moi, ce n'est pas la - Jacques Offenbach
4. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Amis, l'amour tendre et reveur - Hoffmann, Nicklausse, Giulietta - Jacques Offenbach
5. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 2: Je vois qu'on est en fete! - Schlemil, Giulietta, Pitchinaccio, Hoffmann - Scene 3: Au premier reve je t'enleve - Nicklausse, Hoffmann - Jacques Offenbach
6. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 4: Tourne, tourne, miroir - Dapertutto - Jacques Offenbach
7. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 5: Cher ange! - Dapertutto, Giulietta - Jacques Offenbach
8. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 6: Melodrame: Vivat! J'ai tout gagne! - Giulietta, Schlemil, Dapertutto - Jacques Offenbach
9. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 7: Giulietta, palsembleu! - Jacques Offenbach
10. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Air de Giulietta: Vous ne jouez pas? - Jacques Offenbach
11. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Que dit-elle? - Jacques Offenbach
12. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Giulietta, je vous jure! - Jacques Offenbach
13. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Oui, fut-ce au prix de ma vie - Jacques Offenbach
14. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Sextuor and Choeur: Helas! Je vais encore la suivre - Jacques Offenbach
15. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Morbleu! - Jacques Offenbach
16. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Il a ma cle - Jacques Offenbach
17. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 1: Ton ami dit vrai! - Jacques Offenbach
18. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Romance: O Dieu, de quelle ivresse - Jacques Offenbach
19. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Jusque-la, cependant - Jacques Offenbach
20. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Si ta presence m'est ravie - Jacques Offenbach
21. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Ah! Tu m'as defiee - Giulietta, Hoffmann, Dapertutto, Pitchinaccio - Jacques Offenbach
22. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 2: Alerte, Hoffmann! - Jacques Offenbach
23. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Voyez! Il n'a plus le moindre reflet! - Jacques Offenbach
24. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Je n'aime pas qu'on me defie! - Jacques Offenbach
25. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Ainsi, tu mentais! - Nicklausse, Hoffmann, Dapertutto, Pitchinaccio, Giulietta - Jacques Offenbach
26. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act V: Entracte - Jacques Offenbach
27. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 1: Choeur: Folie! Oublie tes douleurs - Jacques Offenbach
28. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Voila quelle fut l'histoire - Jacques Offenbach
29. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Choeur des Esprits et des Etudiants: Glou! Glou! - Hoffmann, Luther, Lindorf, Nathanael, Nicklausse - Jacques Offenbach
30. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 2: Stella, Stella! - Jacques Offenbach
31. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Couplet: Pour le coeur de Phrygne - Jacques Offenbach
32. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Denouement: Hola! Quelqu'un de fort pour emporter Hoffmann! - Jacques Offenbach
33. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Ingrat! Et moi? - Jacques Offenbach
34. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Adieu! Je t'abandonne - Andres, Hoffmann, Nicklausse, Stella, La Muse, Lindorf - Jacques Offenbach

Amazon.com

Of all the revisionist Hoffmanns, this one is the best, using the latest (and one trusts) last version of Michael Kaye's edition, based on sketches recently discovered for the unfinished opera. Most of the changes are in the Giulietta act; it now tracks better dramatically, and unlike some restoration attempts, its length is sensible. In the title role, Roberto Alagna is full of imaginative touches of characterization, singing the famous Kleinzach song with an intentional vocal roughness in a worthy effort to convey the Hoffmann's debauched state. As the mechanical doll Olympia, Natalie Dessay proves she's not only a phenomenal singer but a great comedienne. Kent Nagano deploys his Lyon Opera forces with great stylistic authority. --David Patrick Stearns

Customer Reviews:

Not a flawless version, but one to be REALLY loved.......2006-05-09

This is a recording with significant highs and lows. But in overall it is an excellent account of this wonderfully tuneful and beloved opera.
First, about the edition. The Kaye edition restores a lot of music including recitatives written by Offenbach and a number of musical numbers. It also goes for the Guiraud recitatives which some versions totally omit and replace by the dialogues which Offenbach likely might have intended. Compared to, say, the historical Sutherland/Domingo/Bonynge version, this version is significantly longer and more substantial, musically speaking. With more than 30 minutes of music compared to the Bonynge edition, it is understandable why the Kaye version needs up to 3 CDs to bear the substantial amount of music.
While fans of Contes d'Hoffmann would likely be grateful at the ressurrection of so much musical material, I personally find this version sometimes just too painfully long. The Guiraud recitatives sometimes simply are bland and cause the opera to just drag along. Yes, Guiraud obviously has a lot of skills and bright ideas in these recitatives, mostly shown by the quoting of music by Offenbach in these recitatives to give the opera a better sense of unison. But compared to the simpler recitatives that Offenbach himself wrote, the Guiraud sometimes just seems aloof. Unless you really have a lot of time, you might want to stick to the more important musical numbers. Also, the new ending, with Hoffmann facing the Muse in the apotheose is a wonderful ensemble, with sounds from the church organ that gives the scene its necessary "holy" feel.
Now to the singers. Alagna has a masculine voice and is dramatically very effective. He also has a perfect French diction-crisp, idiomatic and a real joy to listen to. His instrument naturally is not very beautiful; and I personally find his Hoffmann a bit beefy and hysterical; but his good understanding of the role still helps him come across as a better Hoffmann. The best Hoffmann is in my opinion either Domingo or Schicoff.
The ladies are provided with quite a luxury cast. Natalie Dessay's Olympia is perhaps second only to Sutherland and Sills. To everyone who honors La Stupenda's E flats, listen: Dessay presents the role of the mechanical doll with FOUR Gs, yes 4 full-voiced, stunning, jaw-dropping Gs!!! Musically speaking, Dessay is not as comedic as Sutherland; her tone is a little thin and nasal but her coloratura and lovely portrayal of the role is simply untterly convincing.
Vaduva's Antonia is excellent: excellent diction, girly tone and very successfully portrays the youngsinger's vulnerability and sensibility. She however lacks power in the trio and that C sharp falls flat. Her "Elle a fui la tourterelle" is however wonderfully touching and moving. The best Antonia, in my opinion, is Victoria de Los Angeles. To one of the reviewers here, Vaduva is not a Slavic singer. She is a French singer of Romanian origin. A totally Latin singer!
Sumi Jo portrays a very convincing Giulietta with very believable spinto qualities, which she provides effectively with chaning in tone. The rediscovered coloratura, with a couple of E flats and spellbinding runs, well, brings the wonderful Korean coloratura soprano to her prime best. Her French is surprisingly idiomatic.
Lascarro's got a small role as Stella. I personally don't like her tone; but she is good enough in the beautiful apotheose ensemble.
Jose Van Dam's quartet villain almost matches Bacquier's famous portrayal. His voice is not as dark or evil-sounding as Bacquier's but still gives a top-notch interpretation. His doctor Miracle might have been the best on record if he took some of those melodramatic laughs in the Trio. His reluctance, combined with Vaduva's small voice, creates a flat Trio. This being said, the French bass's quartet of villains stills ranks among the undisputed best. My favorite villain quartet, Gabriel Bacquier has a cameo role here as Crespel, which he does a great job.
Gilles Ragon's a good tenor and his stuttering in the portrayal of Cochenille is very convincing. I however find him a bit too serious and heavy for these tenore buffo roles. The same can be said for Senechal's Spalanzani. Compared to Charon's Spalanzani on the Bonynge recording, he is very unfunny. The "brigand! Bandit!" quarrel after the destruction of the doll is bland and lifeless.
Catherine's Dubosc has a lovely voice and does great job as Nicklausse. There is nothing to criticize about her singing qualities. My only objection is that the casting of this trouser role for a soprano harms the overall balance of the opera: 5 soprano roles and 1 mezzo role (the voice of the mother): this is not a good balance. The Barcarolle duet, in particular, suffers from both a misbalance and a ridiculous fast tempo.
Kent Nagano's conducting does not have the solid tempos of Bonynge and sometimes overwhelms the singers: most notably in that C sharp of the Trio. But he has really interesting ideas and provides invaluable support.
With the exception of a bland Spalanzani, some strange tempos and the unusual length of the edition, this is a very good Hoffmann. Together with the Bonynge version, this is another very good all-around recording. The set is a tad expensive, but given the substantial amount of music and a very informative booklet, this is a recording to really consider. It will provide a lot of listening pleasures. You will not be disappointed.

The best of a mediocre-to-bad lot.......2003-10-30

I have heard six recordings of "Hoffmann," an opera that is particularly dear to me for sentimental reasons. None of them are perfect, all have flaws, but on balance this is the best of the lot.

Now that musicologists have finished playing with the Mahler 10th Symphony (which ended rather well) and the Beethoven 10th (which ended rather badly), they have been taking a whack at "Hoffmann," rushing to revise music the composer never sanctioned and adding music found in buckets and boxes long after his death. My personal feeling was, if it ain't broke, don't fix it: you're not Offenbach, and to speak for him requires a tremendous amount of chutzpah. And a lot of the revisions, to my ear, simply do not work well, such as turning Giulietta into a coloratura soprano, spinning out an aria that ends much like Olympia's doll song as on this recording.

I'm also not fond of switching the Antonia and Giulietta acts from their traditional positions for both dramatic and musical reasons. To begin with, having the "tales" end with Antonia gives Hoffmann's character a certain sense of redemption that simply isn't there the other way. Also, the Giulietta act is musically the weakest: as primiarily an operetta composer, Offenbach simply had a hard time creating music for this act which is darker and more tensely dramatic than anything else in the work. The superp trio that climaxes the Antonia act, on the other hand, is one of the most brilliant and transcendent things he wrote.

That being said, there is much to admire in this set. Kent Nagano conducts briskly, which is his wont, thereby tying together the music in a cohesive and satisfying way where others (particularly Cluytens and Cambreling) sound slow and rambling. On the other hand, his chorus of the spirits, though light and brisk, just misses the rapt, enchanting sound achieved by Bonynge; and though it was probably Offenbach's intent to have only a few strings play the violin motif in the Antonia trio, they sound too thin, not sweeping or driven enough, for the dramatic situation. Nagano also conducts the famed "Barcarolle" at a shade-too-fast tempo, thus robbing the music of its mysterious charm (even Arthur Fiedler made a better recording of the instrumental version). These moments point to a lack of "theatricality" in Nagano's conducting style that Bonynge, Rudel and even Beecham managed to capture.

Alagna is not as suavely beautiful or haunting in the role as Robert Rounseville or Stuart Burrows were. This is something of an abrupt, nervous reading, though if one knows something about E.T.A. Hoffmann and his tales it is perfectly in keeping with his character. (I have yet, however, to see ANY tenor perform the role made up to LOOK like Hoffmann, a scrawny little man with a square jaw, popping eyes and a shock of unruly, frizzy hair. I guess no tenor really wants to look like that!)

This is unquestionably the finest performance Dessay has ever recorded: her voice is brilliant, in focus, on pitch and wonderfully secure. Only Bond in the Beecham performance and Sutherland come close, though I personally feel that Sutherland was funnier in the role. She had a real flair for comedy, whereas she did not possess enough personal warmth for Antonia or Giulietta.

The Sutherland recording also had the best "villains" in Gabriel Bacquier in his prime, but to my ears Van Dam is an excellent second. (Treigle, in the Sills set, was good but not great, his somewhat gruff voice rather overwhelimg the roles with too much histrionics.)

Vaduva has a pretty tone but your typical "Slavic wobble," more noticeable in the early and late parts of her act. For some reason, the voice is better focused in the middle sections, but she does not efface memories of de los Angeles who was the best Antonia ever.

Jo is surprisingly good as Giulietta: though her voice is even smaller than Dessay's, it had a fuller lyric sound in the mid-range which captured well on records. (I have beel told that her "live" career is just about over on stage as the voice is too small to carry in most modern theaters.) I liked Margherita Grandi in the old Beecham film, but a chesty, spinto Giulietta is apparently persona non grata in the new Michael Kaye edition of the work.

Dubosc is a good Nicklausse, though I preferred Tourangeau and the singer (I forget her name) from the Beecham film. Bacquier, with far less voice, is still predictably good as Crespel; the timeless Senechal is a classic Spalanzani; Ragon is an excellent Cochenille, not so memorable as Franz. (I miss Andrea Velis, the old Met comp, who was brilliant in these roles but was never recorded in them.) The other small roles range from excellent (Tezier as Schlemil) to poor (Juanita Lascarre as Stella).

An ideal modern "Hoffmann" would have Elisabeth Vidal as Olympia, Hong as Antonia, Fleming as Giulietta, Alvarez as Hoffmann, Rene Pape as the three villains, and someone like Pappano or Plasson conducting.....but we can dream all we want. The era of complete opera recordings, according to many inside sources, is over as we know it--even the Bobby & Angela act is being shelved--so we must pick from what we have, and this is simply the finest over all "Hoffmann" on record, with Bonynge's being a good second choice, though I do not like Domingo's hard-voiced, beefy Hoffmann.

Hoffman contines to elude the recording world.......2001-10-03

This is a very good Hoffman, with the new edition of the score and a lot more music than in earlier editions. There is MUCH here to be admired and enjoyed as there is in the classic Domingo/Sutherland recording.

I prefer Domingo's more passionate Hoffman to Alagna's workmanlike effort, which is still quite fine.

On the other hand, having different female vocalists, as this recording does is preferable to my ear than having the same throughout as the Domingo/Sutherland recording does. The three female leads here range from good (Dessay) to excellent (Jo). Having heard Sumi Jo sing Olympia on record and in person, I find it hard to enjoy Dessay's quite as much. Jo is here as Antonia however.

No single recording of Hoffman is clearly preferable and listening to each is recommended. In the meanwhile, there is still an opening here for a more fully satisying Hoffman.

Excellent but not definitive.......2001-04-20

This recording has given me many hours of listening pleasure. Pretty much every artist featured in it gives an excellent performance, and the greatness of Offenbach's opera is conveyed more fully than can be done by other performances that contain less of what he composed for "Hoffmann" before his untimely death. However, the recording has several specific faults that result in my giving it only 4 stars, even though it is among my favorite operatic recordings.

First, the good points. Listening to this recording one definitely thinks of the opera's characters rather than the artists portraying them.... I find Alagna's voice quite beautiful on this recording and feel that he portrays the character of Hoffmann with spectacular success....

Van Dam is one of the recording's great assets as the villains. The three main heroines are each memorable(.).......(Jo's) interpretation of Giulietta's long-lost coloratura aria is spectacular and features a spine-chilling moment in her climactic cadenza ...she sings a rising series of notes almost identical to one sung by Dessay as Olympia in Act II, emphasizing the connection of the heroines. ...Lascarro does a very good job in the small role of Stella (....Dubosc is excellent as the Muse and Nicklausse, giving a truly memorable performance of nearly the entire role. Unfortunately, Nicklausse's Antonia-act aria, arguably the artistic and emotional heart of the entire opera ...,seems somehow disappointing on this recording. Dubosc's voice does not cut through the orchestra as it should when she sings in her lower register, and as a result the aria fails to have the cathartic impact on me that it has when I have heard it in Metropolitan Opera broadcasts. .... Ragon gives an excellent, highly memorable performance in the four "grotesque" roles.

Now I may turn to the disappointing features of this recording. ....(T)his recording contains no extra-musical sound effects whatsoever. To a certain extent this is a valid approach to recording an opera. The problem is that "Hoffmann" contains an unusually high number of passages which were composed with the extra-musical sounds that would be heard from the stage in mind and which lack some of their intended impact without sound effects. The effectiveness of the students' drinking song is reduced when we don't hear them banging their glasses together and on the tables, and without the winding-up sound the pauses in Olympia's song when she runs down make less sense. We also should hear Coppelius smashing Olympia, Hoffmann and Schlemil moving around heavily as they duel, the death-gasp of another character who dies in the new ending of the Giulietta act (I won't spoil the unfamiliar twists of plot here), and various other sound effects which would add to the drama of the story. Moreover, Van Dam's villains never laugh except when their laughter is notated in the score, even though the libretto specifies some additional evil laughs, notably the one as Dr. Miracle disappears and Antonia falls dying at the end of the trio for Miracle, Antonia and the voice of Antonia's mother.

One of the main problems with the recording is that Van Dam, Ragon and Dubosc are the only performers to play multiple roles. Not only are the heroines played by four different sopranos, but none of the artists who play Luther and the students reappear in other roles in the acts devoted to Hoffmann's three stories. All of this goes against what are presumed to be Offenbach's wishes for his opera, despite the fact that this is a recording of Kaye's critical edition (in its "grand opera" version). Moreover, this recording was, unfortunately, made before Offenbach's own finished finale for the Giulietta act, written very shortly before his death, became available for inclusion in Kaye's edition. ....

Finally, it seems bizarre that the aria "Scintille, diamant," which has been one of the most popular numbers in the opera for a long time, is not included on this recording. ....

Despite these flaws, this recording is recommended. It is extremely enjoyable and represents the totality of Offenbach's intentions for "Hoffmann" more fully than any other recording currently available. One hopes that a new recording of Kaye's edition, with the definitive ending for the Giulietta act and with a single soprano playing all four heroines, will be made in the not-too-distant future.

O Dieu, de quelle ivresse embrasse-tu mon âme?.......1999-11-21

Comme un concert divin ta voix m'a pénétré!....

This recording is undoubtedly one of the two benchmark recordings of this opera, the other one being the classic Sutherland/Domingo/Bonynge set. It is the most complete set with the "newly-discovered" Giuletta ending, and even includes the terrific but apocryphal sextet that is missing in the Bonynge recording. Alagna is the true star here, reflecting the spirit of Hoffmann throughout the opera, and singing in a very ideomatic French (unlike Domingo). The four heroines are marvellous, even though I prefer a single soprano singing all the four roles. Van Dam is great as the four villians, but he could have been more sinister in the trio in the Antonia act. Nagano is fine, but has some problems with the tempi at times.

Average customer rating: Melodies to miraculously cure the moribund!!! FROM OFFENBACH TO LOPEZ

Le Meilleur de l'Opérette Manufacturer: EMI Records [All429] ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Lehár, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Offenbach | Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Strauss Jr., Johann | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music ASIN: B000053W6K Release Date: 2002-04-02

Customer Reviews:

Melodies to miraculously cure the moribund!!!.......2005-09-10

This 2000 3-CD set is a new edition of 2-CD set from 1990 titled "Opérette-Passion" from EMI France. By popular request, this adds to the already mirific collection a third CD containing some of the real glories of mid-XXth century French operettas: Maurice Chevalier, Tino Rossi, Fernandel, Alibert, Denise Duval, Luis Mariano, Georges Guétary, Bourvil, Mathé Altéry, Anny Cordy, Gise Mey and Armand Mestral. The selection is not exhaustive - that would be impossible* - but it does give any listener a major incentive to go ferretting for more of the same and the complete score of some of those genuine masterpieces of charm, humour and melody by Fancis Lopez or Maurice Yvain (among many others). For students of the French language and French opera, this collection is priceless as it gives a very good impression of what makes the French singing voice different from any other: something called "le phrasé", which unfortunately cannot be duplicated or improvised by international stars who simply dabble in French (except maybe the multi-talented Petula Clark). The recordings range from a restored antique of the 20's by Chevalier to full stereo scores from the 70's. The result is a package whose value will never be duplicated in discriminating choice, sound quality and sheer listening enjoyment. One very minor reservation : The dates of the recordings are not indicated as they were in the "Opérette-Passion" collection and the names of the lyricists are not given. The liner notes are composed of a 2-page essay which gives a general outlook of the evolution of French operetta (in French) but could have been a little longer, in my humble opinion. Details like this would have made the difference between a wonderful album for connoisseurs and a genuinely educational tool. * The operettas of Vincent Scotto are not represented. WARNING: These recordings are genuine treasures and are never available for long either individually of collectively, so buying this collection is an absolute no-brainer.

FROM OFFENBACH TO LOPEZ.......2002-08-16

Yesterday ,before going to sleep,you told your wife:I have nothing against FRENCH operettas,but what i want to hear is the songs ,not the dialogue that goes with the genre when you listen to complete works.Here in that collection,all the composers who created that particular form of light music are represented.It is so much more entertaining than traditional opera.Among the highlights are songs from OFFENBACH's works like LA BELLE HÉLENE and LA PÉRICHOLE;MESSENGER's VERONIQUE and MONSIEUR BEAUCAIRE;the famous LA VEUVE JOYEUSE that was successfull around the world;CHRISTINÉ's PHI PHI created the day after armistice in 1918.One of the pleasant surprize for me was hearing songs from LES MOUSQUETAIRES AU COUVENT and one from LA FILLE DE MADAME ANGOT (JADIS,LES ROIS)and another from CIBOULETTE(NOUS AVONS FAIT UN BEAU VOYAGE).MADY MESPLÉ,one of the best singers of the genre is featured on seven songs,and she is always a joy to hear in any role of the repertoire.FRANCIS LOPEZ, who is remembered as the last important composer is well honoured with eight selections with singers like BOURVIL,GEORGES GUÉTARY and LUIS MARIANO.Don't try to resist THE MERRY WIDOW ,she'll get to you one way or another.

Average customer rating:

Un Jour, Une Vie Serge Lama Manufacturer: Wea International ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD France | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music International | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00008RUUW Release Date: 2003-04-22

Tracks:

1. Jour, Une Vie (Intro)
2. Gens Qui S'Aiment
3. Mon Ami, Mon Mae
4. Si Tu le Veux
5. 15 Juillet 5 Heures
6. C'est Toujours Comme
7. Alge
8. e
9. Chanteuse a 20 Ans - Alice Dona, Serge Lama
10. Pos
11. Chez Moi
12. Voici des Fleurs, Des Fruits
13. Glycines
14. Temps de de la Rengaine, Pt. 1
15. Jardins Ouvriers (Les Illusions)
16. Temps de de la Rengaine, Pt. 2
17. Braconne
18. Rien Ne Vaut Vous

Tracks:

1. Esclave
2. Salle de Bain
3. Je Suis Nostalgique
4. Enfant au Piano
5. Je T'Aime
6. Souvenirs...Attention...Danger...
7. Superman
8. Et Moi Je Rends Les Femmes Belles
9. Gibier Manque et Les Femmes Sont Rares
10. Petites Femmes de Pigalle
11. Quand on Revient de L
12. Femme Adieu
13. D'Aventures en Aventures - Isabelle Boulay, Serge Lama
14. Je T'Aime la Folie
15. Femme, Femme, Femme
16. Joir, Une Vie Int
17. Je Suis Malade
18. Marie la Polonaise - Isabelle Boulay, Serge Lama
19. Ballons Rouges - Isabelle Boulay, Serge Lama

Album Details

Recorded Live at Paris' Bercy in 2002 with the Help of Spacial Guests: Isabelle Boulay, Alice Dona, Lena Ka and Yves Gilbert.

Average customer rating: A fascinating compendium of Boulez' versatility.

Pierre Boulez: Artist's Album Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music General | Bartók, Béla | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Berg | Berg, Alban | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Boulez | Boulez, Pierre | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mahler | Mahler, Gustav | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Messiaen | Messiaen, Olivier | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ravel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schoenberg | Schoenberg, Arnold | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Stravinsky | Stravinsky, Igor | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Cleveland Orchestra | ( C ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Paris Symphony Orchestra | ( P ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B00004R9F1 Release Date: 2000-03-14

Tracks:

1. Parsifal: Overture
2. LULU: Interlude Verwandlungsmusik (Act 1, Scene 2)
3. LULU: Ragtime: 'Seit ich fur die buhne arbeite' - English Waltz: 'Noch Etwas Bitte'
4. Iberia (Image pour orchestre no. 2): Le matin d'un jour de fete
5. The Rite Of Spring: Sacrificial Dance
6. Concerto For Orchestra: Intermezzo interrotto: Allegretto
7. Raposidie espagnole: Habanera
8. La Ville d'en haut (For Wind, Brass, Piano and Percussion)
9. Symphony No. 7: Scherzo: Schattenhaft - Trio
10. Moses Und Aron: Erotische Orgie (Act ll)
11. Symphonie Fantastique Op. 14: Un Bal Valse: Allergro non troppo
12. Repons: Introduction
13. Herzgewachse Op. 20: Herzgewachse Op. 20 (For soprano, Celesta, Harmonium and Harp)
14. Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte: Lent

Customer Reviews:

A fascinating compendium of Boulez' versatility........2000-06-10

Compilations of classical music usually bring a bite-sized, dumbed-down view of the music at hand, but in the case of a musician of the stature and insight of Pierre Boulez, this is a compilation to be applauded. You will hear Boulez' amazing versatility in music from Berlioz to his own masterpiece Repons, with a powerful, unsentimental Parsifal Prelude, a charming, wonderfully grotesque Lulu excerpt, some ferocious, charged Stravinsky, ecstatic Messiaen, and luminous, gorgeous Ravel and Debussy in between. The playing is uniformly outstanding, and one can only hope that a collection like this will spur neophytes on to the riches of Boulez' discography. Highly recommended!

Average customer rating:

Un Jour, Une Vie Serge Lama Manufacturer: Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music International | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B0000C082J Release Date: 2003-09-15

Tracks:

1. Jour, Une Vie (Intro)
2. Gens Qui S'Aiment
3. Mon Ami, Mon Mae
4. Si Tu le Veux
5. 15 Juillet 5 Heures
6. C'est Toujours Comme
7. Alge
8. e
9. Chanteuse a 20 Ans - Alice Dona, Serge Lama
10. Pos
11. Chez Moi
12. Voici des Fleurs, Des Fruits
13. Glycines
14. Temps de de la Rengaine, Pt. 1
15. Jardins Ouvriers (Les Illusions)
16. Temps de de la Rengaine, Pt. 2
17. Braconne
18. Rien Ne Vaut Vous

Tracks:

1. Esclave
2. Salle de Bain
3. Je Suis Nostalgique
4. Enfant au Piano
5. Je T'Aime
6. Souvenirs...Attention...Danger...
7. Superman
8. Et Moi Je Rends Les Femmes Belles
9. Gibier Manque et Les Femmes Sont Rares
10. Petites Femmes de Pigalle
11. Quand on Revient de L
12. Femme Adieu
13. D'Aventures en Aventures - Isabelle Boulay, Serge Lama
14. Je T'Aime la Folie
15. Femme, Femme, Femme
16. Joir, Une Vie Int
17. Je Suis Malade
18. Marie la Polonaise - Isabelle Boulay, Serge Lama
19. Ballons Rouges - Isabelle Boulay, Serge Lama

Average customer rating:

Rossmarin: L'amour, Lamour, Baise Moy Venus Pour ma Peine Cent Fous Le Jour Manufacturer: Analekta ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Baroque Dance Suites | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music | Allemandes | Courantes | Gigue | Sarabande General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music ASIN: B000009JO5 Release Date: 1995-03-22

Average customer rating:

Georges Thill Sings Verdi Manufacturer: Malibran [C.D.R.G.] ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B00005BI6J Release Date: 2001-04-24

Average customer rating:

Anthologie de l'Opérette, 1850-1950 (Box Set) Manufacturer: Forlane ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Lehár, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Offenbach | Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romberg, Sigmund | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Thomas | Thomas, Ambroise | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music ASIN: B00005EBJP Release Date: 2001-04-17

Average customer rating:

Chanson polyphonique: Songs of the French Renaissance Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Baroque Dance Suites | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music | Allemandes | Courantes | Gigue | Sarabande Le Jeune, Claude | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music | Baroque | Classical | General | Modern & 20th Century | Romantic | Sinfonia | Sinfonia Concertante General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Chansons | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B00000IXUD Release Date: 1999-05-11

Tracks:

1. Ha Seigneur Dieu, Que De Graces Ecloses
2. Dans Le Serain De Sa Jumelle Flamme
3. Nature Ornant La Dame
4. Pavane Et Gaillarde 'La Milanoise'
5. Ces Deux Yeux Bruns Doux Flambeaux De Ma Vie
6. Je Parangonne Au Soleil Que J'adore
7. Gaillarde 'La Piemontoise'
8. Oeil Qui Mes Pleurs De Tes Rayons Essuye
9. Amour Archer D'une Tirade Ront
10. Mon Dieu, Mon Dieu Que Ma Maistresse Est Belle
11. Amour, Amour, Donne Moy Paix Ou Treve
12. Gaillarde
13. Je Vy Ma Nymphe Entre Cent Damoiselles
14. Tout Me Desplaist, Mais Rien Ne M'est Si Grief
15. Pavane Et Gaillarde 'La Romanesque'
16. Avecques Moy Pleurer Vous Devriez Bien
17. Certes Mon Oeil Fut Trop Avantureux
18. Ce Ris Plus Dous Que L'oeuvre D'une Abeille

Tracks:

1. Que Je Porte D'envie
2. Je Ne M'eleve Icy
3. Premiere Fant
4. Tu Ne L'enten Pas
5. Je Ne Me Plain
6. Susanne Un Jour
7. Susanne Un Jour
8. Le Chant De L'Alouette
9. Quell'eau Quel Air
10. Seconde Fant
11. Je Voulu Baiser Ma Rebelle
12. Je Suis Desheritee
13. Troisieme Fant
14. Allons, Allons Gay
15. Debat La Nostre Trill' En May
16. Mais Qui Es-tu

Tracks:

1. Qu'est-ce D'amour?
2. Une Bergere Un Jour
3. Tant Que Vivray
4. Le Content Est Riche
5. Il Est Bel Et Bon
6. Gaillard Pour Luth
7. Un Gay Berger
8. Petite Fleur Coincte Et Jolye
9. Comment Au Departir
10. Fant No.10
11. En M'en Venant De Veoir
12. Fricassee
13. La Prise De Calais-Hardis Francoys
14. Doulce Memoire
15. Finy Le Bien (Response De 'Doulce Memoire')
16. Elle Craint L'esperon
17. Fricassee
18. Dieu Qui Conduictz-Echo
19. Je Suis Robert
20. D'amours Me Plains
21. A Ce Matin
22. Las, Je M'y Plains
23. Ung Jour Robin
24. Mon Amy M'avoit Promis

Average customer rating:

Rossini - Soirée musicale / van Grootel · Tro Santafé · Perdigón · R. de Andrés · J. Reynolds Gioachino Rossini , Suze van Grootel , Silvia Tro Santafé , Jorge Perdión , Ramón de Andrés , and Julian Reynolds Manufacturer: Globe ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Caprices | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B0000508WF Release Date: 2000-10-17

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