Monday, February 10

Tag: Christina Rice

The Tales of Hoffmann – Royal Ballet & Opera
REVIEWS

The Tales of Hoffmann – Royal Ballet & Opera

Offenbach’s The Tales of Hoffmann is one of his most enduring operas, with the suggestion that it is incomplete – it premiered some four months after its composer’s death – lending it to interpretation which director Damiano Michieletto has taken full advantage of here in this lavishly visual staging which weaves magic and mystery through oft-imagined memories. At the tavern, poet Hoffmann (Juan Diego Flórez) is losing himself to drink. His rival in love, Councillor Lindorf (Alex Esposito), 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… Accompanied by Nicklausse (Julie Boulianne), the oft ignored voice of reason throughout, Hoffmann te...
Les Contes d’Hoffmann – Royal Opera House (2016 Revival Production)
London

Les Contes d’Hoffmann – Royal Opera House (2016 Revival Production)

Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffmann is the most enduring ‘serious’ opera from a composer better known for his operettas and this 2016 revival of legendary film director John Schlesinger’s sumptuous 1980 production provides the perfect vehicle in which Offenbach’s story – in turn witty, erotic, and macabre – and highly melodious music come together to form a deeply and satisfying whole. Set in the 19th C, the great storyteller Hoffmann (Vittorio Grigòlo) is losing himself to drink. His rival in love, Councillor Lindorf (Thomas Hampson), 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… First Hoffmann tells of his infatuation for the mechanic...