Description
Jacques Offenbach: Les Contes d'Hoffmann - DVD
UPC: 8018783040122
Product Features
- Composer: Jacques Offenbach
- Opera: Les Contes d'Hoffmann (The Tales of Hoffmann)
- Performers:Orchestra: Arturo Toscanini Orchestra Sinfonica dell'Emilia-Romagna
- Hoffmann: Alfredo Kraus
- Olympia: Ruth Welting
- Giulietta: Jolanta Omilian
- Antonia: Barbara Hendricks
- Nicklausse/Une voix: Elena Zilio
- Lindorf/Coppelius/Dapertutto/Miracle: Nicola Ghiuselev
- Spalanzani: Bruno Bulgarelli
- Schlemil: Giovanni Savoiardo
- Chorus: Coro del Teatro Regio di Parma
- Conductor: Alain Guingal
- Director: Adolfo Tanzi
- Producer: Beppe De Tomasi
- Publisher: Hardy Classic Video
- Recording Date: February 17, 1988
- Venue: Teatro Regio di Parma
- Picture Format: 4:3, NTSC, Color
- Region Code: 0 (Worldwide)
- Subtitles: English, French
- Running Time: 160 minutes
Overview
This 1988 live performance of Jacques Offenbach's "Les Contes d'Hoffmann", recorded at the Teatro Regio di Parma, features an outstanding cast led by Alfredo Kraus as Hoffmann and Barbara Hendricks as Antonia. Nicola Ghiuselev impresses in the multiple roles of Lindorf, Coppelius, Dapertutto, and Miracle.
Directed by Adolfo Tanzi and conducted by Alain Guingal, this performance presents Offenbach’s imaginative and fantastical opera, where Hoffmann recounts the stories of three women who have shaped his life. Despite the limitations of the archival recording—offering fewer close-ups and some unclear lighting—the high artistic quality of the performance justifies its release.
The Arturo Toscanini Orchestra Sinfonica dell'Emilia-Romagna and the Coro del Teatro Regio di Parma provide a beautiful musical backdrop, making this production a must-have for opera lovers, especially fans of Alfredo Kraus.
Interesting Facts
- Alfredo Kraus, known for his mastery of French opera, is celebrated for his interpretation of Hoffmann, bringing both vocal brilliance and emotional depth to the role.
- Barbara Hendricks, one of the leading sopranos of her generation, delivers a moving performance as Antonia, a tragic figure in Hoffmann’s story.
- Nicola Ghiuselev takes on the challenge of playing four villainous roles in the opera, a feat that showcases his versatility as a bass-baritone.
- The production was originally filmed for the Teatro Regio di Parma’s archives, with the video quality reflecting the archival nature of the recording.
- This DVD release, produced by Hardy Classic Video, gives audiences the opportunity to enjoy a rare and exceptional performance from one of Italy's most important opera houses.
Track Listing
- Prologue: Hoffmann tells the story of his love for three women.
- Act I: Olympia, the mechanical doll.
- Act II: Giulietta, the courtesan.
- Act III: Antonia, the tragic singer.
- Epilogue: Hoffmann reflects on his lost loves.
Publishers
- Hardy Classic Video
- Azzali Editori
Hashtags
#LesContesDHoffmann #JacquesOffenbach #AlfredoKraus #BarbaraHendricks #TeatroRegioDiParma #NicolaGhiuselev #OperaDVD #HardyClassicVideo #FrenchOpera #LiveOperaRecording #ClassicOpera
