Jacques Offenbach: Christopher Columbus (Opera Rara Audio CD)

Maurice Arthur, Joy Roberts, Johanna Peters, Lissa Gray, Marilyn Hill Smith, Christian de Plessis, Alan Opie, Anna Dawson, Alec Bregonzi, Clive Harre, John Duxbury, Rosemary Ashe

A joyful and infectious pastiche that marries some of Offenbachs best music with Don Whites witty and irreverent English version of the discovery of America. Weaving together music from lesser-known Offenbach operattas, this opera tells the story of Columbus asking Queen Isabella of Spain for funding for his journey to America. An alcoholic nymphomaniac Isabella donates her jewellery in a kind of strip show. Three ex-wives follow Columbus onto his ship and he is seasick for the whole journey. On arrival in the New World he discovers the cola nut.

London Mozart Players, Alun Francis