Well a few days ago, I listened to Baz Luhrmann's La Boheme with L'AMOUR literally writ large across the stage? How to follow that? How about Michel Legrand's Amour? It lasted for 17 performances on Broadway and was not recorded until months later when the cast was re-assembled just for this recording. It seems like an appropriate follow-up--both are set in Paris, at least.
Amour is not a tragic story, though, and certainly no where near opera, although the liner notes say that M. Legrand's inspiration came from the French operettas of Offenbach and others. The story is of unrequited love that become requited. Painfully shy Monsieur Dusoleil (Malcolm Gets) is hopelessly in love from afar with Isabelle (Melissa Errico) who is trapped in an unhappy marriage. Dusoleil becomes a sensation when he realizes he can walk through walls and becomes known as M. Passepartout (pass through all). This gets the attention of the lady, but he must win her himself.
While the music seems a little light even by operetta style, the singing is all very nice. The courtroom scene seems to have the most interesting music, reminding me of a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta. But then there are two more scenes after the happy ending in the court.
Mr. Gets and Ms. Errico have pleasant voices, that only sound strained when pushed to extremes of volume or pitch. Lewis Cleale and Norm Lewis are the two voices I find most appealing in this cast. The best song of the bunch is an "I want" song for Isabelle called "Somebody".
I'm intrigues that James Lapine directed this show. He seems drawn to shows that are outside the norm--like Sondheim. This is not as interesting either musically or thematically as any of Sondheim. I wonder what drew Lapine to it?
Amour
Music by Michel Legrand
Lyrics by Didier van Cauwelaert
English translation by Jeremy Sams
Directed by James Lapine
Cast album released on CD in 2003
Cast: Malcolm Gets, Melissa Errico, Lewis Cleale, Norm Lewis,
Amour is not a tragic story, though, and certainly no where near opera, although the liner notes say that M. Legrand's inspiration came from the French operettas of Offenbach and others. The story is of unrequited love that become requited. Painfully shy Monsieur Dusoleil (Malcolm Gets) is hopelessly in love from afar with Isabelle (Melissa Errico) who is trapped in an unhappy marriage. Dusoleil becomes a sensation when he realizes he can walk through walls and becomes known as M. Passepartout (pass through all). This gets the attention of the lady, but he must win her himself.
While the music seems a little light even by operetta style, the singing is all very nice. The courtroom scene seems to have the most interesting music, reminding me of a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta. But then there are two more scenes after the happy ending in the court.
Mr. Gets and Ms. Errico have pleasant voices, that only sound strained when pushed to extremes of volume or pitch. Lewis Cleale and Norm Lewis are the two voices I find most appealing in this cast. The best song of the bunch is an "I want" song for Isabelle called "Somebody".
I'm intrigues that James Lapine directed this show. He seems drawn to shows that are outside the norm--like Sondheim. This is not as interesting either musically or thematically as any of Sondheim. I wonder what drew Lapine to it?
Amour
Music by Michel Legrand
Lyrics by Didier van Cauwelaert
English translation by Jeremy Sams
Directed by James Lapine
Cast album released on CD in 2003
Cast: Malcolm Gets, Melissa Errico, Lewis Cleale, Norm Lewis,
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