1. Square before the temple of Jove, Sparta
2. The royal palace, Sparta
3. Nauplia, a seaside resort; a week later.

• Paris ,tenor
• Menelaus, comic tenor
• Calchas, baritone
• Agamemnon, bass / baritone
• Helen, (mezzo)soprano
• Orestes (trouser rôle), (mezzo)soprano

2 flutes, 1 oboe, 2 clarinets, 1 bassoon, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, 1 trombone, timpani/percussion, strings

It is usual practice to bring topical references into the riddle-contest of the first act: this calls for some inventiveness on the part of the stage-director. The tenor singing Paris must be able to sing a high b-flat. A small stage band (playing out of tune!) is required. The singer of the Helen part should be a competent comic actress.

One of Offenbach’s most popular works, full of wellknown numbers, such as the entrance of the heroes, the air of Paris, the waltz, a trio for men (in parody of Rossini’s William Tell) etc.

Venus has promised Paris the most beautiful woman in the world. This turns out to be Helen, who, unfortunately, is married to the king of Sparta. After many complications Paris manages to carry her off. The story abounds with comic anachronisms and is a parody of the grand theatrical manner. The Greek heroes are presented as only too human: vain, jealous, mean etc.