Les Contes D'Hoffmann /
Offenbach's Les Contes d'Hoffmann (The Tales of Hoffmann) is the most enduring 'serious' opera from a composer otherwise better known for his sparkling operettas. It's not hard to see why: Offenbach's witty and highly melodious music finds the perfect vehicle in the Rom...
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| Other Authors: | , |
| Format: | Video |
| Language: | French |
| Language Notes: | Sung in French; subtitles in English, German, Italian . |
| Published: |
The Royal Opera :
2016.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Connect to this streaming video (Alexander Street Press) |
| Summary: | Offenbach's Les Contes d'Hoffmann (The Tales of Hoffmann) is the most enduring 'serious' opera from a composer otherwise better known for his sparkling operettas. It's not hard to see why: Offenbach's witty and highly melodious music finds the perfect vehicle in the Romantic, richly imaginative world of the storyteller E.T.A. Hoffmann. The great storyteller Hoffmann is losing himself to drink. His rival in love, Councillor Lindorf, claims that Hoffmann knows nothing of the heart, and so goads Hoffmann into telling the tales of his three great loves - each destroyed by a villain who bears an uncanny resemblance to Lindorf. The Royal Opera's production of Les Contes d'Hoffmann was created in 1980 by the award-winning director John Schlesinger, best known for his work in film and television. Schlesinger's production sets Hoffman's tales in the 19th century, drawing on styles from both Hoffmann and Offenbach's times. William Dudley's magnificent set designs and Maria Björnson's sumptuous costumes realize to brilliant effect the extravagant flourishes of Hoffmann's imaginative world. The final revival of this well-loved production by John Schlesinger provided the perfect vehicle for Vittorio Grigolo as Hoffmann to display his wonderful voice and masterful acting, surrounded by an exemplary supporting cast, including Sonya Yoncheva in the role of Antonia, and Thomas Hampson as Hoffmann's arch rivals. The production at the Royal Opera House (November 2016) garnered very good reviews, especially for Vittorio Grigolo. |
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| Physical Description: | 1 online resource (1 video file) |
| Production Credits: | Michael Levine (Designer) ; Nicky Gillibrand (Costumes). |
| ISBN: | 9781350895201 1350895202 |