Charpentier: La descente d'Orphée aux Enfers

Advantages: Gaily jolly, irreverent, humorous, bawdy, tuneful. A masterful reworking of the primary opus of the master of French comic opera. If you enjoy Gilbert and Sullivan track this one down – I can guarantee you a surprisingly wonderful musical experience.
Disadvantages: None

...French citizenship by Emporer Louis-Napoleon in 1860. Between 1858 and 1880 he wrote over 100 operettas and other works, guaranteeing his great popularity the world over. The most enduring of these are The Grand Six: Orpheus in the Underworld (1858), La Belle Helene (1864), La Vie Parisienne (1866), La Grande-duchesse de Gerolstein (1867), La Perichole (1868) and The Tales of Hoffmann. Offenbach was still working on this latter piece at the time of his death (October 5th 1880) and it was subsequently completed by others for performance purposes. “ORPHEUS IN THE UNDERWORLD” (“Orphée aux Enfers”) Orpheus was Offenbach’s first full length operetta. The legend had been used as a theme (usually as a tragic one) for opera several times before. Here, though, is an irreverent romp through a classic tale of Gods and mortals, supposed good... Read review

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Advantages: The final flourish from Britain's best loved Classical duo.
Disadvantages: Patchy musically with some pleasant "highs"; rather weak and ponderous libretto.

...Let me ask you a couple of questions. What do you know of Schikaneder and Mozart's "Die Zauberflaute"? Can you whistle any of the tunes from Paive and Verdi's "La Traviata"? When was "Orpheus Aux Enfers" by Halevy, Cremieux and Offenbach first performed? What is it that made Gilbert and Sullivan unique in the realm of classical music? It is of course immediately clear that the three named operas ("The Magic Flute", "Traviata" and "Orpheus in the Underworld") have become known over time only as works by the composer; the contribution of the librettist is considered to be of minor secondary importance. It is perhaps astonishing - and a testament to the dominance of his personality and the forcefulness of his position as director - that history has favoured W.S. Gilbert (Librettist) in the pole position of the duo over Arthur Sullivan... Read review

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Advantages: A few really good tracks, some De La Soul tunes you have never heard before
Disadvantages: The album has no flow, a few weak remixes

...are both hitting on all cylinders on this one. The track is groovy. I can hear James Brown behind the jazz horns. Dee added a piano that makes this track really outstanding. This is one worth ripping and putting on your computer. Oodles of O's 3:32~ This is a straight cut from the De La Soul is Dead album that was released in 1991. This is laid back philosophical track with lyrics like: "All I is a man and once an embryo Am I solid gold? I don't cast a glow Yes I guess it's reflex Some have no control I'd rather let a laughter And tally off I go" This is pure De La Soul. Smooth, rhythmic rhymes racing along funky drums capped with old school scratches. The track lacks in depth but makes up for it with the funk factor. You will bob your head with this one. You can't help yourself. Listen to this one enough times... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful