Credits:

Michele Spotti

Description:

Laurent Pelly, the great Offenbach specialist, brings us a Barbe-bleue full of satire and delightThe village shepherd Daphnis (in reality Prince Saphir) and the flower girl Fleurette (in reality Princess Hermia) are acknowledged sweethearts. Then the cowherd girl Boulotte appears and starts making eyes at Daphnis. The alchemist Popolani announces that he has come in search of a sixth wife for Bluebeard, gathers the village women together and holds a lottery – which Boulotte wins. Count Oscar, King Bobche’s chamberlain, happens to be present and recognises the lottery basket as belonging to the royal household. He has been searching for the princess who was set adrift on the river, and is now certain that Fleurette, the basket’s owner, is the missing Princess Hermia. But just as they are about to set off for the palace, Bluebeard arrives in search of his new wife and falls for Fleurette at fir