Seeking to exorcise the failure of his current love affair, the poet Hoffmann tells the tales of his three past loves - the doll-like Olympia, the high-class courtesan Giulietta, and the ambitious but delicate Antonia - and recalls how each was thwarted by the evil influence of his rival. In this production by the distinguished film director, John Schlesinger, with spectacular designs by Maria Bjornson and William Dudley, Offenbach's nightmare world is brought to life. The all-star cast is headed by Placido Domingo as Hoffmann: his three loves are Ileana Cotrubas, Anges Baltsa and Luciana Serra and the manifestations of his rival are sung by Geraint Evans, Robert Lloyd, Siegmund Nimsgern and Nicola Ghiuselev. The score, which includes such favourites as the "Barcarolle" and the "Doll's Song", is conducted by Georges Pretre.
Credits
Les Contes d'Hoffmann Cast
| Name |
Character |
|
Plácido Domingo
He was 40, now 83 years old
|
as Hoffmann |
|
Nicolai Ghiuselev
|
as Miracle |
|
Agnes Baltsa
She was 37, now 79 years old
|
as Giulietta |
|
Francis Egerton
He was 51, now 93 years old
|
as Pittichinaccio |
|
Ileana Cotrubaș
She was 42, now 84 years old
|
as Antonia |
|
Geraint Evans
He was 59, 70 years old when he died
|
as Coppélius |
|
Gwynne Howell
He was 43, now 85 years old
|
as Crespel |
|
Claire Powell
She was 27, now 70 years old
|
as Nicklaus/Muse |
|
Robert Lloyd
He was 41, now 84 years old
|
as Lindorf |
|
Siegmund Nimsgern
He was 41, now 84 years old
|
as Dapertutto |
|
Phyllis Cannan
|
as Spirit of Antonia's Mother |
|
Luciana Serra
She was 35, now 77 years old
|
as Olympia |
|
Georges Prêtre
He was 57, 92 years old when he died
|
as Conductor |
Les Contes d'Hoffmann Crew
| Name |
Department |
|
Jacques Offenbach as Original Music Composer. He was 162 (61) years old when He died
|
Sound |
|
John Schlesinger as Director. He was 55 (77) years old when He died
|
Directing |
|
E.T.A. Hoffmann as Original Story. He was 205 (46) years old when He died
|
Writing |
|
Brian Large as Director. He was 42 (now 85) years old
|
Directing |
|
Georges Prêtre as Music Director. He was 57 (92) years old when He died
|
Sound |
|
Jules Barbier as Writer. He was 156 (75) years old when He died
|
Writing |
|
William Dudley as Production Design. He was 531 (33) years old when He died
|
Art |
