Opera 20
Offenbach: Vert Vert
Soloists
Philharmonia Orchestra
David Parry
Offenbach really is a very fine composer. Some of my orchestral colleagues tend to look askance at me when I say that, particularly if their only experience of the composer is hacking through the Can Can at the end of popular music concerts. But he is a composer of real distinction with a thorough musical eduction and a mastery of many styles. The opening here for example would have given the young Verdi a real run for his money.
The opera is something of a rarity and it was only this recording which re-established any sort of recognition for the piece. That is surprising, because this is a high-quality opera. There are plenty of moments where Offenbach lets rip as only he can but generally the mood is more gentle and reflective that some of the better known pieces, with several numbers that belong to the same world as the Barcarolle from the Tales of Hoffman. I’ve never heard an Offenbach opera that I didn’t hugely enjoy and this one certainly gave me a lot of pleasure. The Vert Vert of the title is a parrot! I can’t begin to explain how he features in the plot but be assured that all end happily ever after.
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