La Belle Hélène (Theatre Musical de Paris) (2000) Reviews

La Belle Hélène, Jacques Offenbach's 1864 three-act opera bouffe, unfolds just prior to the Trojan War. Offenbach opens with the goddess Venus promising to procure Helen's love for Paris, through Calchas, the High Priest of Jupiter. He subsequently weaves the tale of Paris' seduction of Helen and the virulent chagrin of her husband, Menelaus. The production of Offenbach's opera by The Théâtre Musicale de Paris -- Chatelet features a libretto co-written and adapted by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy. Dame Felicity Lott portrays Helen, Yann Beuron is Paris, Michel Sénéchal is Menelaus, and François Le Roux plays Calchas. Les Musiciens du Louvre and the Chorus of the Musiciens du Louvre provide musical accompaniment. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi