La Belle Helene

Ancient Greece hits the Champs-Elysées in Offenbach’s La belle Hélène. Mythological mayhem ensues – delightfully sexy, deliriously silly and swept dancing along by music that’s as fizzy (and as intoxicating) as champagne. No two artists have done more to put the sparkle back into French operetta than conductor Marc Minkowski and director Laurent Pelly, and in this now-classic production from the year 2000, Pelly’s zany visuals find a perfect complement in the freshness and flair of Minkowski’s period-instrument orchestra. The cast is to die for, too – with Laurent Naouri as Agamemnon and the great Felicity Lott having the time of her life in the title role.