Description
Jacques Offenbach's Les Contes d'Hoffmann - Bregenz Festival by Unitel Classica (2DVD)
UPC: 0814337013554
Product Features
- Title: Les Contes d'Hoffmann (The Tales of Hoffmann)
- Composer: Jacques Offenbach
- Conductor: Johannes Debus
- Stage Director: Stefan Herheim
- Opera: Les Contes d'Hoffmann
- Main Cast:Orchestra: Wiener Symphoniker
- Olympia: Kerstin Avemo
- Giulietta: Mandy Fredrich
- Antonia: Rachel Frenkel
- Hoffmann: Daniel Johansson
- Lindorf/Coppélius/Dr. Miracle/Dapertutto: Michael Volle
- Spalanzani: Bengt-Ola Morgny
- Crespel: Ketil Hugaas
- Andrès/Cochenille/Frantz: Christophe Mortagne
- Chorus: Prague Philharmonic Choir
- Language: French
- Subtitles: English, German, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Japanese
- Region Code: Worldwide
- Aspect Ratio: NTSC 16:9
- Sound: PCM Stereo, DTS 5.0
- Running Time: 174 minutes
- Bonus Features:
- Behind-the-scenes interviews and footage
Overview
Offenbach’s Les Contes d'Hoffmann is a fantastical opera based on the life and stories of the writer E.T.A. Hoffmann. This production, staged at the Bregenz Festival, offers a fresh, innovative take under the direction of Stefan Herheim. The opera is renowned for its blend of romance, fantasy, and tragedy, all told through Hoffmann’s love for three different women: Olympia, Giulietta, and Antonia. Herheim’s vision infuses the production with surrealism and a grandiose drag-show spectacle, making it a truly unique interpretation of this beloved opera.
Daniel Johansson shines in the title role of Hoffmann, with Rachel Frenkel playing Nicklausse and the Voice of the Tomb. Kerstin Avemo's portrayal of Olympia is both brilliant and cheeky, while Mandy Fredrich delivers a finely nuanced performance as Giulietta. Michael Volle's performance of the four villains—Lindorf, Coppélius, Dr. Miracle, and Dapertutto—is particularly praised for its intensity and warmth.
Interesting Facts
- This production was highly praised for its creative staging, with the New York Times calling it "witty" and "thoughtful," capturing the opera’s mix of grandeur and grotesque elements.
- Michael Volle takes on the demanding role of the four villains, a highlight of the opera, showcasing his versatility and vocal prowess.
- The opera’s unique structure follows Hoffmann’s recounting of his ill-fated romances, each represented by a different female character, blending fantasy and reality in a surreal setting.
- Offenbach passed away before completing Les Contes d'Hoffmann, leaving several versions of the opera. This production uses a version that stays true to the opera’s fantastical spirit while offering a modern interpretation.
Track Listing
- Act 1: Prologue – Hoffmann’s First Love and Nicklausse’s Warning
- Act 2: Olympia – The Story of the Mechanical Doll
- Act 3: Giulietta – The Seductress
- Act 4: Antonia – The Tragic Love and Hoffmann’s Downfall
- Act 5: Epilogue – Hoffmann’s Self-Reflection
Publishers
- Unitel Classica in cooperation with the Bregenz Festival
Hashtags
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