Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Erich Kunzel, Jacques Offenbach – Gaieté Parisienne Arr. Rosenthal - 5 Overtures

Cincinnati Pops Orchestra / Erich Kunzel / Jacques Offenbach – Gaieté Parisienne Arr. Rosenthal & 5 Overtures

A wonderfully entertaining collection of French operetta and orchestral showpieces, Gaieté Parisienne Arr. Rosenthal & 5 Overtures brings together music by the great French-German composer Jacques Offenbach, performed by the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra under the direction of acclaimed conductor Erich Kunzel.

Offenbach was one of the defining figures of 19th-century operetta, renowned for his infectious melodies, sparkling orchestration, comic flair and irreverent approach to Parisian musical theatre. His works helped establish the modern operetta and had an enormous influence on later composers of light classical music, musical theatre and orchestral entertainment.

The first part of the album features Gaieté Parisienne, the celebrated ballet arrangement created by French composer and conductor Manuel Rosenthal from music by Offenbach. Originally choreographed by Léonide Massine and premiered in 1938, Gaîté Parisienne transforms melodies from Offenbach's operettas into a colourful, fast-moving orchestral suite depicting the excitement and sophistication of 19th-century Paris.

The selection opens with the sparkling Overture from La Vie Parisienne, followed by the energetic Allegro Brillante from Mesdames de la Halle and a playful Polka from Le Voyage dans la Lune. The infectious Galop from La Vie Parisienne, graceful Waltz from Orphée aux Enfers and lively March from Trombalcazar demonstrate Offenbach's extraordinary gift for memorable dance rhythms.

The suite continues with music from La Périchole, Robinson Crusoé, La Vie Parisienne, Orphée aux Enfers and Les Contes d'Hoffmann, culminating in a series of famous can-can and galop numbers. The combination of theatrical melodies, colourful orchestration and infectious rhythms makes Gaieté Parisienne one of the most enjoyable works in the light-classical repertoire.

The album also includes five Offenbach overtures, beginning with the famous Orpheus in the Underworld, whose exhilarating can-can theme has become one of the most recognisable pieces of classical music. Further highlights include overtures from Vert-Vert, La Grande-Duchesse de Gérolstein, L'Île de Tulipatan and La Belle Hélène.

With Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra bringing their characteristic precision, energy and theatrical flair to the repertoire, this recording is ideal for listeners who enjoy classical orchestral music, operetta, French music and light classical favourites.

A superb Jacques Offenbach CD for collectors and classical music fans, this album combines the composer's most exuberant melodies with colourful orchestral performances and some of the most famous dance music ever written for the stage.

Tracklist

Gaieté Parisienne Arr. Rosenthal – Selections From The Ballet

1. Overture (La Vie Parisienne)
2. Allegro Brillante (Mesdames De La Halle)
3. Polka (Le Voyage Dans La Lune)
4. Galop (La Vie Parisienne)
5. Waltz (Orphée Aux Enfers)
6. March (Trombalcazar)
7. Waltz (La Périchole)
8. Introduction And Can-Can No. 1 (Robinson Crusoé)
9. Can-Can No. 3 (La Vie Parisienne)
10. Can-Can No. 4 (Orphée Aux Enfers)
11. Barcarolle And Galop (Les Contes D'Hoffmann)

5 Overtures

1. Orpheus In The Underworld
2. Vert-Vert (Kakadu)
3. La Grande Duchesse De Gérolstein
4. L'Île De Tulipatan
5. La Belle Hélène