Monique Barscha

A look at the sexual and professional lives of three people — a television director, his ex-girlfriend, and a sex worker.

Revised as a Chicago gangland tale, this enjoyable Lyon Opera production of Jacques Offenbach's operetta -- originally set in the mountains of Italy -- follows a group of trench-coat-wearing, revolver-carrying mobsters who attempt to rob the Windy City's elite residents. Michel Trempont, Valérie Chevalier, Colette Alliot-Lugaz and Monique Barscha star in this delightful performance, which features beautiful staging and infectious melodies.

When Barbe-bleue loses his fifth wife, the turbulent Boulotte is selected at random to be the next one. But Barbe-Bleue falls in love with Hermia – who loves the shepherd Saphir – and soon wearies of Boulotte. So, he asks his alchemist to concoct for him an “anti-wife” philtre. But, as on the previous occasions, it is merely a sleeping potion and Boulotte wakes up the other five “dead” wives. They reappear, dressed up as gypsies and bring the truth to light.

In the 18th century in Savoy, the friendship of two poor children who are part of a team of chimney sweeps.