Hoffmanns Erzählungen (2011)
Live performance, Bayerische Staatsoper, 2011. The Tales of Hoffmann (French: LES CONTES D'HOFFMANN) is an opéra fantastique by Jacques Offenbach that combines three short stories by E.T.A. Hoffmann into a haunting whole: a melancholy poet reflects on three women he loved and lost in the past: a mechanical performing doll, a Venetian courtesan, and the consumptive daughter of a celebrated composer. One of the questions this opera poses for any director is how to link the 'tales' of Hoffmann's three lost loves together and knit them satisfactorily into the Prologue and Epilogue. In this production, Richard Jones solves the puzzle by turning it into an autobiographical journey which ends with a grand meet-up of all the characters Hoffmann has encountered: for once, Hoffmann is not presented as a rollicking kind of drunken story-spinner, but rather a sad-eyed, sobered-up depressive, who reaches for the bottle only because his disastrous love life has gone wrong yet again.
Cast
- Rolando Villazón - Hoffmann
- Diana Damrau - Olympia / Giulietta / Antonia / Stella
- John Relyea - Lindorff / Coppélius / Miracle / Dapertutto
- Kevin Conners - Cochenille / Pitichinaccio / Frantz
- Angela Brower - Nicklausse / La Muse
- Ulrich Reß - Spalanzani
- Dean Power - Nathanaël
- Tim Kuypers - Hermann
- Christian Rieger - Schlémil
- Andrew Owens - Wilhelm
Screenplay
- E. T. A. Hoffmann (Original Story)
- Jules Barbier
Themes
Wizards and Sorcery, Magical Fantasy Worlds
Keywords
magic, poet, muse, nuremberg, germany, automaton, doll, fake doctor, 19th century, opera live performance
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Hoffmanns Erzählungen about?
- Live performance, Bayerische Staatsoper, 2011. The Tales of Hoffmann (French: LES CONTES D'HOFFMANN) is an opéra fantastique by Jacques Offenbach that combines three short stories by E.T.A. Hoffmann into a haunting whole: a melancholy poet reflects on three women he loved and lost in the past: a mechanical performing doll, a Venetian courtesan, and the consumptive daughter of a celebrated composer. One of the questions this opera poses for any director is how to link the 'tales' of Hoffmann's three lost loves together and knit them satisfactorily into the Prologue and Epilogue. In this production, Richard Jones solves the puzzle by turning it into an autobiographical journey which ends with a grand meet-up of all the characters Hoffmann has encountered: for once, Hoffmann is not presented as a rollicking kind of drunken story-spinner, but rather a sad-eyed, sobered-up depressive, who reaches for the bottle only because his disastrous love life has gone wrong yet again.
- Who directed Hoffmanns Erzählungen?
- Hoffmanns Erzählungen was directed by Michael Beyer.
- Who stars in Hoffmanns Erzählungen?
- Hoffmanns Erzählungen stars Rolando Villazón, Diana Damrau, John Relyea, Kevin Conners, Angela Brower, Ulrich Reß.
- How long is Hoffmanns Erzählungen?
- Hoffmanns Erzählungen has a runtime of 2h 48m (168 minutes).
- What genre is Hoffmanns Erzählungen?
- Hoffmanns Erzählungen is a Drama, Fantasy, Music film.
- Where was Hoffmanns Erzählungen produced?
- Hoffmanns Erzählungen was produced in Germany.
- What are the themes of Hoffmanns Erzählungen?
- The themes of Hoffmanns Erzählungen include: Wizards and Sorcery, Magical Fantasy Worlds.