Off The Bookshelf Jacques Offenbach: Des Contes D'Hoffmann [1983] (REGION 1) (NTSC) Search DVD

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1.Sleeping Beauty starring: Paris Opera Ballet directed by: Pierre Cavassilas June 11, 2001
Average Rating: >>More Details		List Price: £24.99 Off The Bookshelf's Price: £13.98 You Save: £11.01 (44%) Prices subject to change. Used Price: £14.41
I thoroughly enjoyed this. For sheer beauty of classical dancing from the 2 principals it excels. But don't expect the carefree joyousness of a Fonteyn or the noble adventurousness of a true prince as there's very little feeling in this production. The awakening scene was so perfunctory ,I had to laugh. The Prince might have beeen buying a stamp from the Post Office. This was definitely an arranged royal marriage and not a great romance. Some of the choreography is very fussy so even the solos, hoever accomplished, can seem a bit over-long, while a fair bit of the corps' choreography can be hackneyed or twee. The Bluebird pas de deux though is excellent, but in terms of expressiveness, the ballet only sprang into life for me at the Puss in ... Read More:

2.Offenbach: La Vie Parisienne [1991] starring: Hélène Delavault, Claire Wauthion, Isabelle Mazin, Jean-Yves Chatelais, Jean-Francois Sivadier directed by: Pierre Cavassilas March 04, 2002
Average Rating: >>More Details		Off The Bookshelf's Price: £24.99 Prices subject to change. Used Price:
When I watched this I first thought the singers were amatuer. Then I read a review here which says the director has probably used actors rather than singers, and indeed, if you look up the cast online they all have acting rather than singing bios. I agree with a previous reviewer that this is a bit odd in the current day and age. We're so used to hearing wonderful singers in pieces like this that it seems odd to not hear even adequate singing. Given the above, I have to say that I didn't find the acting particulary inspiring either. The direction leaves what seem like interminable pauses on stage where nothing seems to be happening. At the end of most of the songs and choruses there is either no applause from the live audience or it takes them ... Read More:

3.Puccini: Tosca -- La Scala/Muti [2000] starring: Maria Guleghina, Salvatore Licitra, Leo Nucci, La Scala Theatre Orchestra, Alfredo Mariotti directed by: Pierre Cavassilas, Luca Ronconi December 02, 2002
Average Rating: >>More Details		Off The Bookshelf's Price: £24.99 Prices subject to change. Used Price:
Puccini may not be Verdi or even Andrew Lloyd Webber, but he can write a good tune. Tosca has two good ones. Everything about this staging of Tosca is off kilter. The set may look great at La Scala but on your TV you just want to rush for Panasonics geomagnetic button to straighten the set. Most singers would chop off their right hand to play Scarpia. He should make your flesh creep. The audience should want to hiss as if at a Victorian melodrama. Leo Nucci plays him as if he was a randy, faded matinee idol rather than the treacherous Chief of Police. Salvatore Licitra Is unconvincing as the romantic lead. "E lucevan le stele" however is beautifully sung and helped by the semi dark staging. Read More:

4.Offenbach: Des Contes D'Hoffmann [1993] starring: Daniel Galvez-Vallejo, José van Dam, Natalie Dessay, Barbara Hendricks, Isabelle Vernet directed by: Pierre Cavassilas June 04, 2001
Average Rating: >>More Details		Used Price: £19.99
When you have superb conducting and brilliant singing in an opera performance, how can you ruin it? Basically by what you think are bright ideas which are miles away from the wit and cleverness of Offenbach. Don't forget to cut and mess around when you feel like it. This is basically a travesty which is better enjoyed with the eyes closed. Alas poor Offenbach!

5.La Vie Parisienne [1991] (REGION 1) (NTSC) starring: Hélène Delavault, Claire Wauthion, Isabelle Mazin, Jean-Yves Chatelais, Jean-Francois Sivadier directed by: Pierre Cavassilas November 20, 2001
Average Rating: >>More Details		Used Price: £10.95
When I watched this I first thought the singers were amatuer. Then I read a review here which says the director has probably used actors rather than singers, and indeed, if you look up the cast online they all have acting rather than singing bios. I agree with a previous reviewer that this is a bit odd in the current day and age. We're so used to hearing wonderful singers in pieces like this that it seems odd to not hear even adequate singing. Given the above, I have to say that I didn't find the acting particulary inspiring either. The direction leaves what seem like interminable pauses on stage where nothing seems to be happening. At the end of most of the songs and choruses there is either no applause from the live audience or it takes them ... Read More:

6.Verdi: Rigoletto [2001] starring: Aquiles Machado, Leo Nucci, Inva Mula, Mario Luperi, Sarah M'Punga directed by: Pierre Cavassilas April 02, 2002
Average Rating: >>More Details		Used Price:
When I watched this I first thought the singers were amatuer. Then I read a review here which says the director has probably used actors rather than singers, and indeed, if you look up the cast online they all have acting rather than singing bios. I agree with a previous reviewer that this is a bit odd in the current day and age. We're so used to hearing wonderful singers in pieces like this that it seems odd to not hear even adequate singing. Given the above, I have to say that I didn't find the acting particulary inspiring either. The direction leaves what seem like interminable pauses on stage where nothing seems to be happening. At the end of most of the songs and choruses there is either no applause from the live audience or it takes them ... Read More:

7.The Sleeping Beauty - Tchaikovsky [1999] (REGION 1) (NTSC) starring: Aurélie Dupont, Manuel Legris, Vincent Cordier, Natacha Quernet, Laurent Queval directed by: Pierre Cavassilas June 27, 2006
Average Rating: >>More Details		Used Price: £29.26
When I watched this I first thought the singers were amatuer. Then I read a review here which says the director has probably used actors rather than singers, and indeed, if you look up the cast online they all have acting rather than singing bios. I agree with a previous reviewer that this is a bit odd in the current day and age. We're so used to hearing wonderful singers in pieces like this that it seems odd to not hear even adequate singing. Given the above, I have to say that I didn't find the acting particulary inspiring either. The direction leaves what seem like interminable pauses on stage where nothing seems to be happening. At the end of most of the songs and choruses there is either no applause from the live audience or it takes them ... Read More:

8.Jacques Offenbach: Des Contes D'Hoffmann [1983] (REGION 1) (NTSC) starring: Daniel Galvez-Vallejo, José van Dam, Natalie Dessay, Barbara Hendricks, Isabelle Vernet directed by: Pierre Cavassilas October 26, 1999
Average Rating: >>More Details		Used Price: £283.73
When you have superb conducting and brilliant singing in an opera performance, how can you ruin it? Basically by what you think are bright ideas which are miles away from the wit and cleverness of Offenbach. Don't forget to cut and mess around when you feel like it. This is basically a travesty which is better enjoyed with the eyes closed. Alas poor Offenbach!

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