La belle Hélène (The Beautiful Helen) is a comic opera in three acts, with music by Jacques Offenbach and words by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy. The piece parodies the story of Helen's elopement with Paris, which set off the Trojan War.
The premiere was at the Théâtre des Variétés, Paris, on December 17, 1864. The work ran well, and productions followed in three continents. La belle Hélene continued to be revived throughout the 20th century and has remained a repertoire piece in the 21st.
Cast:
Helene - Felicity Lott
Paris - Yann Beuron
Menelas - Michel Senechal
Agamemnon - Laurent Naouri
Choir and Orchestra of the Louvre
Marc Minkowski - conductor
Virgin Records - 2001