Latest MusicDVDs reviewed
OFFENBACH: LA GRANDE-DUCHESSE DE GEROLSTEIN
Soloists: Felicity Lott, Sandrine Piau, Yann Beuron, Francois Le Roux. Chorus of Les Musiciens du Louvre. Les Musiciens du Louvre, Les Musiciens du Louvre-Grenoble. Conductor: Marc Minowski Virgin Classics *****
This entertaining performance is taken from a French TV broadcast of a production at the Chatelet in 2004, and the enthusiasm of the cast is evident from the opening scene. While retaining her sang froid as the Grande-Duchesse, Felicity Lott brings out the risqué and predatory nature of the character within the hilarious world of monocles, ball gowns and multi-coloured uniforms. Yann Beuron is equally at home as Fritz, while Huchet, Leguerinel and Le Roux make a suitably comic trio of conspirators. The rest of the cast is caught up in the excitement of a busy and energetic production, while Marc Minkowski conducts with an elan that brings out the wit and style of a fine score. Lovers of operetta in the grand manner will love this production. www.virginclassics.com Colman Morrissey
DICK CURRUTHERS
Heavy Metal - Louder Than Life Fremantle Media/SonyBMG ****
For a while there it seemed as if heavy metal had died a death. Its path in the late 1960s and early 1970s through bands such as Black Sabbath and Deep Purple had been rerouted via glam, punk, New Romantics and all the other trends that have since come and gone. Yet for all its base, lowest-common-denominator qualities, the music contains a purity of dumb commitment, novelty and quality entertainment - how else can you explain something like Slipknot or Napalm Death? Or Lordi, for that matter. This truly excellent, occasionally hilarious two-DVD documentary goes some way to explaining the appeal of the music; it is very much a brotherhood of allegiance, explains Twisted Sister's Dee Snyder. It is exciting and entertaining, say the bands. It is horrendous and absurd, say the critics. It is louder than life, say the fans. They are, to a voice, all correct. Extras include Metal Tales, the Metal Time Line, and a guide to the genre's classic albums. Tony Clayton-Lea
