Le joueur
1770년대 말의 프랑스. 곤궁한 소작인들의 삶을 걱정하는 지방귀족 말라부아는 늪지대의 불결한 환경 때문에 전염병이 퍼져 소작인들의 삶이 더욱 피폐해지자 늪지를 메우기로 하고, 궁의 도움을 얻기 위해 베르사유 궁으로 간다. 하지만 관리들이 한낱 촌뜨기 남작의 청을 들어줄 리 만무하다. 말라부아는 좌절하지만, 곧 그는 타고난 재치와 세련된 화법으로 사교계의 관심을 받는다.
Frick
This 1991 production by the Lyon National Opera presents a welcome opportunity to revel in a uniquely Gallic confection rarely seen outside France. It's also a chance to enjoy one of Offenbach's most inventive, melodic scores in which the starring musical role and many of the best tunes go to the orchestra, here conducted by Jean-Yves Ossonce. This is no accident: the operetta was originally created for a company of actors who relied on pastiche and the composer's help to get them through their "numbers". Not so these singers, of course. As Metella, the languorous courtesan who is responsible for the unravelling debacle, Helene Delavault is in meltingly good voice for her show-stopping rondeau, "A minuit sonnant commence la fete". Her sparring suitors Gardefeu (Jean-Francois Sivadier) and, particularly, Bobinet (Jacques Verzier) combine marvellous visual comedy with fluid singing and there is some dazzling vocal work from the supporting cast. It's a long piece, but hugely enjoyable.
