This famous performance has been around for a number of years on the private recording circuit. The three singers are simply terrific as the principals of what really is a sort of menage a trois. Nobody is assaulted or killed although there are several marital infidelities (this is French opera comique, after all). Everyone ends up happy and fulfilled.Mesplé is charm personified and sings like an angel with her tart timbre, scintillating coloratura, and delicious trills. She controls herself though and doesn't add any high Ds to end the famous variations scene or the end of the opera. The two men have good voices and characterize their roles, well, charmingly. Conductor Eugene Bigot knew how this type of musical theater is supposed to go and leads a spirited performance. It is not complete: the overture, the dialogue, and several of the musical numbers are missing. That must've been how it was broadcast back in 1963, probably because the musical forces were only alloted a 50+ minute slot on the radio schedule. No matter: if you're tired of death and melodrama in the opera world, try this tuneful, wonderfully zany piece. It will cure you of any doldrums you might be experiencing!

Version écourtée, mais agréable. NB Le ténor est Raymond Amade (et non Louis) Orchestre lyrique de l'ORTF enregistré à Paris (et non Pairs)

This was an opera completely unknown to me. Mesple’ was great in it. Recommend for anyone wishing to hear something new.

Many Mesplé's sparkling coloratura is the dominant element in this performance, sprinkling high notes generously throughout Adam's score (which also makes heavy use of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star). The tenor sounds like he's singing with a clothespin over his nose but the baritone makes an excellent contribution. If you love French operetta, this is for you.