Francois Roussillon - Opera Comique Collection, Vol. 1 - Le Postillon de Lonjumeau, Ciboulette & La - DVD

The three operas-comiques in this set epitomise the glamour, vivacity and zest of the quintessentially French genre and are among their composers' most admired works. Adolphe Adam's InchLe Postillon de LonjumeauInch exudes rococo Parisian charm, Reynaldo Hahn's elegant and refined InchCibouletteInch is one of the last masterpieces of French operetta, and Jacques Offenbach's InchLa PericholeInch is an opera-bouffe of scintillating colour and vivacious dances. These acclaimed productions from the famous stage of the Opera Comique in Paris feature world-class performers, superb directors, and, in the Adam, costumes by the iconic French fashion designer, Christian Lacroix.

Margherita D'Anjou was Giacomo Meyerbeer's fourth opera in Italian and his first true success. After an absence from the stage of one and a half centuries, it returned at the 43rd Valle d'Itria Festival in an exemplary production the ironical setting of the director Talevi- the War of the Roses takes place at the London Fashion Week- is perfectly matched by the elegant direction of Luisi, at the head of the Orchestra Internazionale d'Italia. The opera, which belongs to the semi-serious genre, moves from the warlike tones of Act One to the idyllic ones of Act Two, where both female protagonist appear the queen, a soprano, and the wife, a contralto; both seeking the love of a heroic tenor equally daring in battle and in music.

Adolphe Adam's Le Postillon de Lonjumeau was a great success at it's premiere in 1836, and, along with the ballet Giselle, has remained one of the composer's most popular works. Following the great French tradition, this opéra-comique has it all 18th century Rococo Parisian glamour and a perilous love story involving the dashing and flirtatious Chapelou and his opposite, the powerful and clever Madeleine. This lavish and spectacular production from the Opéra Comique in Paris received widespread critical acclaim and also features costumes by the iconic French fashion designer Christian Lacroix.