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Offenbach: Des Contes D'Hoffmann [1993]
![Offenbach: Des Contes D'Hoffmann [1993]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41DQ6KXK3FL._SL160_.jpg)
RRP: £24.99
Our Price: £21.99 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Unfortunately the qualities that make Jacques Offenbach's operetta The Tales of Hoffmann an irresistible melodic profusion of wit, dash and unfailing high spirits are only in evidence in the playing of the Lyon Opera Orchestra under Kent Nagano: operetta, more than its serious cousin, continues to be fair game for the whims of producers and designers. In this case an excellent cast including Daniel Galvez-Vallejo as Hoffmann, Natalie Dessay as Olympia, Brigitte Balley as Nicklausse and Isabelle Vernet as Giulietta, as well as Gabriel Bacquier who sings three roles, are obliged to perform Offenbach's operetta in a lunatic asylum designed by Philippe Starck as a three-dimensional grey set, topped with barbed wire. The production by Louis Erlo adapts and cuts scenes to fit this concept, so the tavern scene where Hoffmann sings his celebrated number "The Legend of Kleinzack" disappears, as do the chorus who are banished to the wings. In this environment there's no room for charm or even a kind of mad-hatter behaviour. The cast are reduced to stereotypes and of necessity singularly unlovable ones. What a wasted opportunity. The sound is excellent as it is on two fillers: a short film of Penderecki conducting his choral work, The Seven Gates to Jerusalem from the Midem festival at Cannes and a trailer for a Lyon Opera House production of Berlioz's Damnation of Faust. --Adrian Edwards
Producermania
Review date: 2007-07-22 Rating: 4 out of 10
When you have superb conducting and brilliant singing in an opera performance, how can you ruin it? Basically by what you think are bright ideas which are miles away from the wit and cleverness of Offenbach. Don't forget to cut and mess around when you feel like it. This is basically a travesty which is better enjoyed with the eyes closed. Alas poor Offenbach!
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Reviews
Masterpiece
Review date: 2001-06-04 Rating: 10 out of 10
This is a brilliant performance of Offenbach's classic opera. It will delight any opera lover to have it on such a high quality resolution as DVD. The sound is magnificent and brings out the full effect of the music. A must-buy
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Natalie Dessay
Isabelle Vernet
Barbara Hendricks
Daniel Galvez-Vallejo
José van Dam
Creators:
Daniel Galvez-Vallejo (Primary Contributor)
José van Dam (Primary Contributor)
Jules Barbier (Writer)
Michael Kaye (Writer)
Michel Carré (Writer)
Director(s):
Recording label: Arthaus Musik
Manufacturer: Arthaus Musik
EAN: 4006680101903
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2001-06-04
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audience rating: Exempt
Region code: 2
Running time: 120 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1993
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: French (Subtitled)
Language: German (Subtitled)
Language: Spanish (Subtitled)
Language: French (Original Language)