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Rating: 
Summary: Tasteful, But Slightly 'Dry'
Review: Hoffman's 'La Vie Parisiene,' here performed by a modern Paris 'opera,' has some very impressive moments. Overall, though, it feels a bit 'stiff', that is to say, some scenes seem to have trouble jump-starting themselves into effective entertainment, art, or action.But note I have given this DVD 4-stars. If you like Hoffman and modern Paris drama sung in French, this DVD might interest you. The acting and the costumes are intriguing, as is the storyline. You have to give these performers a lot of credit, for the lines they sing are incredibly challenging in terms of syllabic structure, rapidity, and intonation. These are expert thespians and I would love to watch them perform in something more 'rich' than this slightly dry "La Vie Parisienne.' This can hardly be called an opera, however, for it really is more like a play which is sung. When I think of 'opera', I think of 'Lakme,' 'Madame Butterfly,' or 'Turandot,' not 'La Vie Parisienne.'
Rating: 
Summary: Nothing to write home about....
Review: I owe 2 other Offenbach productions-"La Belle Helene" staged by the Zurich Opera and "Orphee aux Enfers" staged by Lyon National Opera(available in Zone 0 format from Amazon.co.uk)which are much better than this one.
After viewing the hilarious Orphee aux Enfers I was rather disapointed by this comparetively boring production,and since the first and only viewing,it stays abandoned in a corner...
With a title like "Vie Parisienne" you expect a "rich bubbling champagne" but what you get is a rather "dry Cabernet".
Although it has some good moments of singing and dancing and very nice music,it somehow doesn't tie together and leaves you with a sensation of heaviness.I agree with the other reviewer that it looks more like a sung play and it's a pity.
I don't recommend this production.Go and look for a good CD version instead.
Rating:
Summary: Nothing to write home about....
Review: I owe 2 other Offenbach productions-"La Belle Helene" staged by the Zurich Opera and "Orphee aux Enfers" staged by Lyon National Opera(available in Zone 0 format from Amazon.co.uk)which are much better than this one.
After viewing the hilarious Orphee aux Enfers I was rather disapointed by this comparetively boring production,and since the first and only viewing,it stays abandoned in a corner...
With a title like "Vie Parisienne" you expect a "rich bubbling champagne" but what you get is a rather "dry Cabernet".
Although it has some good moments of singing and dancing and very nice music,it somehow doesn't tie together and leaves you with a sensation of heaviness.I agree with the other reviewer that it looks more like a sung play and it's a pity.
I don't recommend this production.Go and look for a good CD version instead.
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