There is more Spain in Offenbach’s brain than in Spain itself’, said a journalist entranced by Maitre Peronilla. Understandably so, given the charm and humour of this operetta in which no fewer than twenty-two characters are kept busy unravelling a preposterously complicated love story. And the libretto is all the better for having been penned by the composer himself.

Castanets, tambourines and triangle merrily punctuate one of Offenbach’s last scores, which multiplies impressive vocal ensembles while not renouncing intimate numbers of great poetry. Our world premiere recording features specialists of this repertory such as Eric Huchet and Loic Felix, but also opera singers more unexpected in this context – including Veronique Gens – who audibly delight in letting their hair down in such joyful company, ably supported by the talents of the Orchestre National de France and the Choeur de Radio France.

Artists

Chantal Santon-Jeffery, Antoinette Dennefeld, Tassis Christoyannis, Veronique Gens, Eric Huchet, Loic Felix, Matthieu Lecroart, Anais Constans, Patrick Kabongo, Francois Piolino, Yoann Dubruque, Raphael Bremard, Jerome Boutillier, Antoine Philippot, Philippe-Nicolas Martin, Diana Axentii

Ch?ur de Radio France, Orchestre National de France, Markus Poschner