Vert-Vert review – Offenbach's slender piece often feels joke-free

Two years ago, Garsington Opera launched a new programming strand with a production of Offenbach's operetta La Périchole. This year, in an effort to repeat the trick, they resurrect the much rarer Vert-Vert, though its impact proves considerably less.

The piece belongs to a slightly more serious genre than the satirical works that usually represent the composer's genius to the modern public; yearning for greater musical respectability encouraged Offenbach to move in the direction of comic opera, as opposed to operetta – even if the musical tone remains resolutely light. But there's also a sentimental vein to this tale of young Vert-Vert, a favourite of the pupils at the convent school where he lives, who returns following an escapade involving a fiery Spanish singer to show greater confidence and to claim his devoted Mimi.

Musically, there's a good deal to enjoy in a score that can be ebullient, witty and charming – and sometimes all three simultaneously. But the plot seems inconsequentially managed, even for a comic opera, while David Parry's English version is at best workaday and for long stretches feels like a joke-free zone.

Fortunately, he conducts the score better than he has translated the libretto, and several individual performances come over well, notably those of Andrew Glover and Quirijn de Lang, who make every word tell as two upper-class army officers, while Geoffrey Dolton and Yvonne Howard maximise the potential of the mature comic couple of Baladon and Mademoiselle Paturelle.

In the title role, Robert Murray acts amiably and sings pleasantly without being able to make a wimpish character interesting. Fflur Wyn is a delightful Mimi, and Naomi O'Connell enjoys herself as the exotic La Corilla. Martin Duncan's production works hard to amuse in Francis O'Connor's attractive sets, though the sheer slenderness of the dramatic material proves recalcitrant.

In rep until 9 July. Box office: 01865 361636. Venue: Wormsley Estate, Stokenchurch