Description
Offenbach's Secret - A Film by István Szabó DVD
UPC: 880242124883
Product Features
- Title: Offenbach's Secret
- Director: István Szabó (Academy Award Winner)
- Composer: Jacques Offenbach
- Main Cast:Orchestra: Broadcast Symphony Orchestra Saarbrücken
- Patachon: Laurence Dale
- Giraffier: Graham Clark
- Jacques Offenbach: Tamás Jordan
- Count de Morny: János Kulka
- Croquefer: Pál Makrai
- Boutefeu: István Bubik
- Ramass-ta-Tête: Sándor Sasvari
- Conductor: Jia Lü
- Feature Film Running Time: 97 minutes
- Documentary: "The Missing Manuscript - The History of The Tales of Hoffmann" (52 minutes)
- Documentary Director: Gérald Caillat
- Picture Format: NTSC, 16:9
- Sound Formats: Dolby Digital 2.0 (Feature Film), PCM Stereo (Documentary)
- Languages: German, English
- Subtitles: English, German
- Region Code: 0 (Worldwide)
- Publisher: EuroArts
Overview
"Offenbach's Secret," directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker István Szabó, combines two of Jacques Offenbach's operettas, Croquefer and Les deux Aveugles, performed against the historically rich backdrop of 19th-century Paris. The film dramatizes the satirical and socially charged spirit of Offenbach’s early operettas, presented at the Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens in 1855 under the restrictions of French law, which limited performances to one act and no more than three singers. With vivid costumes, intricate period settings, and Offenbach’s lively compositions, the film transports viewers into an era of satire and musical delight during France’s Second Empire.
This DVD also includes a bonus documentary, "The Missing Manuscript - The History of The Tales of Hoffmann," which delves into the turbulent history of Offenbach’s Les Contes d'Hoffmann, an opera he left incomplete upon his death in 1880. This 52-minute feature explores the score's mysterious journey through owners, musicologists, and opera directors worldwide, presenting a fascinating "musical detective story" about Offenbach's enduring legacy.
Interesting Facts
- Exploration of Offenbach's Early Work: The film focuses on Croquefer and Les deux Aveugles, which are filled with witty satire and social commentary, showcasing Offenbach’s early talent for opera buffa.
- Historical Drama: Offenbach’s operettas, staged under legal constraints, cleverly reflect the moral ambiguity of Napoleon III’s regime, blending humor with critical insight.
- Award-Winning Direction: István Szabó, an Academy Award winner, is known for his historical dramas, and here he brings his mastery to this vivid portrayal of Offenbach’s theatrical world.
- Insightful Documentary: The documentary on Les Contes d'Hoffmann unveils the opera’s history and Offenbach’s unrealized vision, featuring interviews with score owners and music experts.
Track Highlights
- Croquefer – A one-act comic opera that satirizes chivalric romance.
- Les deux Aveugles – A humorous operetta about two blind beggars competing for territory on the streets of Paris.
Publisher
EuroArts Music International GmbH
Hashtags
#OffenbachSecret #IstvánSzabó #JacquesOffenbach #Operetta #EuroArts #OperaFilm #ClassicalMusicDVD #FrenchOpera #OperaBuffa #19thCenturyParis #LesContesDHoffmann #TheMissingManuscript #RegionFreeDVD #Arte #ClassicOpera
