Offenbach: Operas & Operettas;

He was born in Cologne, but it was in Paris that Jacques Offenbach achieved fame. A special feature of this 30CD collection are star-studded recordings in both French and German of his most celebrated operettas - works that overflow with joie de vivre and satirical wit - and of Les Contes d'Hoffmann, an opera that daringly fuses fantasy, comedy and tragedy. It also includes irresistibly stylish performances of such tempting rarities as Les Brigands, Pomme d'Api, Monsieur Choufleuri and Mesdames de la Halle.