"Both the 'earthly' leads are superb: Natalie Dessay's secure, clear coloratura is well employed as the nagging wife, Eurydice, and one fells genuinely sorry for her hapless husband, Orphée, amiably characterized by Yann Beuron...From the opening bars, Minkowski's approach is apparent in the sparkling, crystal-clear textures, and he propels the opera along at a tremendous pace and with a bouncing rhythmic bite, matched by the exceptionally lively cast."
-- Penguin Guide [2003/4 edition]
Orphée aux enfers
by
Jacques Offenbach
Véronique Gens (Soprano)
Laurent Naouri (Bass)
Yann Beuron (Tenor)
Jean-Paul Fouchécourt (Tenor)
Ewa Podles (Mezzo Soprano)
Patricia Petibon (Soprano)
Jennifer Smith (Soprano)
Lydie Pruvot (Soprano)
Steven Cole (Tenor)
Etienne Lescroart (Tenor)
Virginie Pochon (Soprano)
Natalie Dessay (Soprano)
Sharman Plesner (Violin)
Conductor: Marc Minkowski
Lyon Opera Orchestra, Lyon Opera Chorus
Grenoble Chamber Orchestra
Recording: 12/1997
Opera House, Lyon, France
110 Minutes 6 Secs.
120 page Booklet with French libretto and parallel English translation.