Les contes d'Hoffmann
The tales of Hoffmann
Hoffmanss Erzählungen

"Offenbachs last, unfinished, work is a masterpiece of romantic fantasy based upon stories of E. T. A. Hoffmann. This DVD is of a recording produced by BBC Television of the late John Schlesinger's magnificent production for Covent Garden in the early Eighties ... Vocally this performance is outstanding, led by Placido Domingo in his prime ... Overall this is a very enjoyable performance of a fascinating opera with marvellous singing and acting which is let down by mediocre colour and sound recording".

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"Er baut das Unvollendete des Werks lustvoll um und aus ... unter der schönen Stabführung von Johannes Debus".

"Friedrich and Frenkel are nicely stylish. Debus can be very polished: playing and choral singing are both excellent".

"Olivier Py's production ... takes its visual cues from Eiffel's amazing tower and the arrival of electric lighting ... There are too many shots of penumbral figures seen through metal struts ans grids ... Marc Laho is a solid Hoffmann and Stella Doufexis is a touching Muse/Nicklauss, if a little stretched in the upper register. The best of the heroines is Patricia Petibon's Olympia with a coloratura that defies gravity".

Vurdering (performance): 3/5.

Vurdering (picture & sound): 4/5.

"Olivier Py treats us to Expressionism gone wild ... This present one should be seen, probably more than once; it it definitely brain food and musically very well served".

"Musically it's mostly excellent ... Cutler is all vocal ease, elegance and passion. Von Otter's communicative and dramatic powers remain wonderfully persuasive ... Cambreling's hard-edged intensity won't be to everyone's tastes, though it suits Marthaler's moody theatrics to perfection. An acquired taste, but fascinating".

"Pelly's production ... is straightforward: no gimmicks ... The women are all good ... If Michael Spyres doesn't have quite enough heft, his portrayal of the title-role, dishevelled or elegant, carries conviction. Laurent Naouri is outstanding as the villains. Stéphane Denève whips up the excitement where required".

"Bei Laurent Pelly und Stéphane Denève ist die ganze Opernwelt halbdunkel, hofmannesk, kafkaesk ... Hoffmann, ein wenig angestrengt in der Höhe: Michael Spyres".