Offenbach Les Contes d'Hoffmann opera to a libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré. Directed 2018 by Tobias Kratzer. Stars Nina Minasyan (Olympia), Ermonela Jaho (Antonia), Christine Rice (Giulietta), Irene Roberts (La Muse), John Osborn (Hoffmann), Eva Kroon (La Voix de la Tombe), Erwin Schrott (Lindorf/Coppélius/Miracle/Dapertutto), Rodolphe Briand (Spalanzani), Paul Gay (Luther/Crespel), François Lis (Peter Schlémil), Sunnyboy Dladla (Andrès/Cochenille/Frantz/Pitichinaccio), Mark Omvlee (Nathanaël), Frederik Bergman (Hermann), Alexander de Jong (Wilhelm), and Peter Arink (Le captaine des Sbires). Carlo Rizzi conducts the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and the Chorus of the Dutch National Opera (Chorus Master Ching-Lien Wu). Set and costume design by Rainer Sellmaier; lighting design by Bernd Purkrabek; dramaturgy by Klaus Bertisch. Directed for TV by Misjel Vermeiren. Sung in French. Released 2020, disc has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: NA
Richard Bratby (June 2020 Gramophone, page 78) has high praise (and no demerits) for the singers here and the Rotterdam orchestra’s colors that “really glow.” The set is Hoffman’s apartment with rooms for each of Hoffman’s fantasies, which maybe works better in the HT than live. Videographer Misjel Vermieren maintains good balance of long-range shots, split-screen effects, and close-ups. And director Kratzer “rewards you with an emotional pay-off that’s both moving and thoroughly earned.”
Here’s a trailer from C Major and one from the Dutch National Opera in an English and a Dutch version. Could be a winner if you can get used to those safety wires!
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