Tales of Hoffmann

Through the haze of the years, a poet remembers the women he loved. But when it comes to matters of the heart, nothing is as it seems. Particularly when the devil himself is involved…  

Journeying back to his school days, Hoffmann relives his childhood romance with Olympia, a model student in every sense. Doomed love follows him into adulthood, where the dancer, Antonia, is taken from him too soon. Meanwhile, the sensual courtesan Giulietta has her own secret agenda. As memory and fantasy becomes increasingly blurred, will Hoffmann find the enigmatic Stella before it is too late?   

Offenbach's best-known musical work may be the 'can-can', but The Tales of Hoffmann has its own fair share of popular tunes, including the lilting Barcarolle. Traditionally sung by Venetian gondoliers, Offenbach's take, ‘Belle nuit, ô nuit d’amour’ (Beautiful night, oh night of love), is a duet for soprano and mezzo-soprano, featuring the courtesan, Giulietta, and Hoffmann’s loyal companion, Nicklausse. Olympia’s Song is a dazzling showcase for the soprano voice at its most acrobatic. In the original opera libretto, she is a living doll who runs out of power part-way through her song, and requires ‘winding up’ to resume her performance.

 

Sung in French with English subtitles

 

The Royal Opera

Music: Jacques Offenbach

Director: Damiano Michieletto 

Conductor: Antonello Manacorda

 

Cast: Juan Diego Flórez, Alex Esposito, Olga Pudova, Ermonela Jaho, Marina Costa-Jackson, Julie Boulianne

 

Running time: 245 minutes, Two intervals

 

Doors open: 6.00pm.  Transmission begins: 6.45pm

18:45-22:45 15 Jan 25

Adult: £15.00

Child: £10.00