I have planned this holiday together with my participation in the production of La Belle Hélène, an operetta by Jacques Offenbach with Opéra des Landes. We are on stage for five evenings and one matinée over a period of 11 days. All is going fine up to now: we have had good reviews from the critics; the audience is enjoying the show; and so are we in the cast.
The first act of the opera centres around the figure of a mysterious and intelligent shepherd. Everybody becomes quite obsessed with him...
Meanwhile in the real world, French shepherds are having a hot summer with difficulty in finding fodder for their flock. In the Southwest of France, it is feria time with traditional brass bands and dancing groups parading around towns.
Having been to the fêtes de la Madeleine in Mont-de-Marsan one day this week while being on stage in the evenings, I can compare the organised chaos of our opera's staging and the chaotic organisation of our local brass bands. Both lead to much amusement!
La Belle Hélène
Jacques Offenbach, Les musiciens du Louvre-Grenoble, Marc Minkowski, Parlophone
Opéra des Landes Belle Hélène photo: Max Loubère
