26 February 2020 (Wed), 19:00 Brilliant Classical Stanislavsky Ballet and Opera theatre (established 1887, founded by Stanislavsky) - Opera "Les Contes d`Hoffmann" (opera in 3 acts)
Running time: 2 hours 50 minutes (till 21:50)
The performance has 1 intermission
Schedule for "Les Contes d`Hoffmann" (opera in 3 acts) 2022
Composer: Jacques Offenbach Light Designer: Damir Ismagilov Designer: Valery Leventhal Director: Alexander Titel Music Director: Eugeny Brazhnik Costume Designer: Valery Leventhal
Orchestra: Stanislavsky theatre symphony orchestra Opera company: Stanislavsky opera
Opera in 3 act
Performed in French with synchronised Russian supertitles
Premiere of this production: 5 May 2011, Stanislavsky Ballet and Opera theatre, Moscow, Russia
Composer Jacques Offenbach Musical Director and Conductor Eugeny Brazhnik
Stage Director Alexander Titel Set Design Valery Levental Genre
opera Number of acts 3 Language French Premiere May 5, 2011
Synopsis
Prologue
A cafe near the theatre where writer, artist and musician Hoffmann likes to
go out. It's noisy and funny here. Here one can forget about their life
problems. Today they show "Don Giovanni" by Mozart. Stella, the opera diva,
performs the part of Donna Anna. She has sent a letter with the key of her
make-up room to Hoffmann who is in love with her. But it has been taken by
adviser Lindorf who is also courting Stella. Here arrive Hoffmann and his
faithful companion Nicklausse. The cafe society expect an exciting evening:
Hoffmann is well-known for his brilliance. Following advice of his friends he
sings an ironic song about Kleinsack. But his thoughts are all about Stella. He
starts mixing up the verses: now he is no longer singing about Kleinzach but
about his beloved one. Nathanael, one of the poet’s friends, wonders: can it be
that Hoffmann is in love? But the poet laughs at his question. The hitherto
silent Lindorf takes up the conversation. He doubts it whether Hoffmann is
capable of love at all. Offended by the remark, Hoffmann feels like telling
about his love adventures. While romanticizing, he seems to guess who is his
beloved Stella, who is the one that has embodied the poet’s “three souls, three
hearts”. He begins his story, involving everyone in the action.
Olympia
Spalanzani, the inventor, together with a mysterious optician Coppelius
created an extraordinary girl Olympia. Hoffmann has seen her only once, in the
window. But that was enough for the poet: he is in love. Hoping to meet Olympia,
Hoffmann starts taking physics lessons by Spalanzani. Unexpectedly arrives
Coppelius willing to get the money that Spalanzani owe him for his work. To get
rid of Coppelius, Spalanzani gives him a check of a collapsed bank. Meanwhile
Coppelius sells magic glasses to Hoffmann. By putting them on, he finds Olympia
even more beautiful. It is time to show everyone the talents of Olympia. The
invitees are listening to a charming song performed by Olympia. Hoffmann is
fascinated by her voice, he tells Olympia about his love for her. The girl
answers with curt phrases but the magic glasses do their job… Back comes the
furious Coppelius. He realized that he had been deceived by Spalanzani and
decides to take revenge. Dances start. Olympia is spinning faster and
faster. Hoffmann is not able to stop this crazy dance. The visitors are
delighted with the evening. But suddenly a scandal takes place – Coppelius has
broken Olympia. Hoffmann is desperated – he realizes that he has been in love
with a machine...
Giulietta
Venice. Hoffmann and Nicklausse are being entertained by an actress and
courtesan whose name is Giulietta. Schlemil, Giulietta 's love, is jealous of
Hoffmann. But the poet believes to be indifferent to the charms of Giulietta:
«How can you love courtesans?» These words are heard by Dapertutto. He tells
Giulietta to seduce Hoffmann and steal his reflection by means of a magic
diamond. Once Hoffmann has lost his reflection, he will be at the mercy of
Dapertutto, just as Schlemil. Following the bad will, Giulietta seduces Hoffmann
and gets his reflection. To take the key of Giulietta's bedroom, Hoffmann
kills Schlemil at a duel. Hoffmann runs after the courtesan but sees only a
gondola going away: Giulietta preferred a new lover Pitichinaccio to the
poet.
Antonia
A house of Crespel, the violin maker, in a provincial German town. Here,
secretly he has brought his daughter Antonia who dreams of stage. She inherited
a unique voice from her mother who was a famous singer. But along with the voice
Antonia has taken a painful illness that had brought her mother to death.
Singing can accelerate the tragic end. Crespel hopes to hide his daughter from
the terrible Dr. Miracle that killed her mother, as well as from the influence
of Hoffmann who is in love with Antonia and encouraged her to study
music. But Hoffmann still manages to find Antonia, as well as Miracle does.
Accidentally Hoffmann hears the conversation of Crespel with Miracle and finds
out that Antonia is ill. He takes her promise to give up singing, the dreams of
the stage and dedicate her life to the family. After Hoffmann has left,
appears Miracle. He tempts Antonia by the dreams of stardom of a famous singer,
flowers and applause. Antonia seems to be called to the stage by her mother.
Under a hellish accompaniment of Miracle she sings more and more passionately,
and soon falls dead. Crespel tries to save his daughter but in vain...
Epilogue
The story of Hoffmann is finished. Over is the play at the theatre. Stella
enters the cafe but in vain she seeks for Hoffmann…
Schedule for "Les Contes d`Hoffmann" (opera in 3 acts) 2022
"Les Contes d`Hoffmann" (opera in 3 acts) |
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About This Video 05:09 The Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Music Theatre
"Les Contes d`Hoffmann" (opera in 3 acts) |
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