Academy Opera: Les contes d'Hoffmann

The great German writer E.T.A. Hoffmann is the inspiration for Jacques Offenbach’s opera Les Contes d’Hoffmann (The Tales of Hoffmann). His narrative style seamlessly interweaves fantasy and the real world. The composer transforms the writer’s unbound creativity into the eclectic score, juxtaposing lyricism and burlesque. In the opera, the poet Hoffmann unveiled his three tales of unfulfilled love: his fascination for the mechanical doll Olympia, who was destroyed by the inventor Coppélius; his love for the courtesan Giulietta who preferred the jewels from the magician Dappertutto; and his passion for the doleful Antonia who was forced to sing to her death by Doctor Miracle. After telling these tales of pathos from his past life, Hoffman received yet another blow when he witnessed his latest love, Stella, eloped with the Councillor Lindorf. This final disappointment put out all desire and prospect for love in the drunken Hoffmann. The Muse, Goddess of the Arts compelled Hoffmann to write poems for the rest of his life.

 

Returning to direct for the Academy after eight years, Director Tang Shu-wing adds layers of meanings to the opera by examining the past, the present and the future.

 

Music: Jacques Offenbach

Libretto: Jules Barbier and Michel Carré

Conductor: Eitan Globerson

Director: Tang Shu-wing

Assistant Director: Anson Lam Pui-lim

Students from the Department of Vocal Studies, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts

Academy Symphony Orchestra & Choir

Set Designer: Leo Yuen Hon-wai

Costume Designer: Cindy Ho Pui-shan

Lighting Designer: Zoe Cheung