MusicWeb international
2004 January
By
By
Arthur Baker
2004 January
"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".