Description

Les Contes d'Hoffmann - Opus Arte 2 DVD Set

UPC: 809478009689

Product Features

Composer: Jacques Offenbach
Musical Director: Alain Guingal
Stage Director: Giancarlo Del Monaco
Starring:Chorus: Chorus of Opera de Bilbao
- Aquiles Machado
- Konstantin Gorny
- Katharine Goeldner
- María Bayo
- Valentina Kutzarova
- Milagros Poblador
Orchestra: Bilbao Orkestra Sinfonikoa
Running Time: 135 minutes
Audio Format: LPCM Stereo, surround sound, all regions
Subtitles: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian
Production Year: TV Recording © 2006
Bonus Features:
- Interviews with María Bayo, Aquiles Machado, and Juan Carlos Matellanes
- Illustrated synopsis
- Cast gallery

Overview

Les Contes d'Hoffmann by Jacques Offenbach is an evocative and surreal opera, where love, fantasy, and tragedy converge in the form of the poet Hoffmann, masterfully portrayed by Aquiles Machado. Hoffmann, a dreamer lost in his quest for ideal love, reflects on his three great loves—each represented by enigmatic, seductive women, played by María Bayo, Valentina Kutzarova, and Milagros Poblador. As Hoffmann's tales unravel, he succumbs to the melancholic truth that love, in its purity, may forever remain out of reach.

This critically acclaimed production, under the artistic direction of Giancarlo Del Monaco, captures the drama and passion of Hoffmann's emotional descent. Alain Guingal conducts the Bilbao Orkestra Sinfonikoa and Chorus, delivering a hauntingly beautiful score that envelops the audience. From Kleinzach’s grotesque lament to the seductive power of the Barcarolle, Offenbach’s masterpiece is showcased in a high-definition recording that does full justice to the richness of the music and the intensity of the performances.

Giancarlo Del Monaco’s direction delves deeply into Hoffmann’s psyche, creating a production full of visual intrigue, with stunning set and costume designs by Michael Scott and immersive lighting by Wolfgang von Zoubek.

Interesting Facts

Les Contes d'Hoffmann was Jacques Offenbach's final work, left unfinished at his death, but it remains one of his most beloved operas.
Aquiles Machado, who performs the role of Hoffmann, is celebrated for his powerful tenor and emotional depth in portraying characters on the brink of despair.
María Bayo, a renowned Spanish soprano, brings elegance and allure to her role, enchanting the audience as Hoffmann’s elusive love.
Giancarlo Del Monaco is the son of the famous Italian tenor Mario Del Monaco, and he has directed operas in many of the world’s top venues.
The Bilbao Orkestra Sinfonikoa, under the direction of Alain Guingal, provides a masterclass in orchestral interpretation, elevating Offenbach’s intricate score.