Opéra Fantastique in five acts
Johannes Erath’s critically-acclaimed direction maintains constant action onstage, while still giving space to Jacques Offenbach’s entrancingly beautiful music. True to its name, the eventful opera is based on the stories of poet E. T. A. Hoffmann.
Recommended for children over the age of 12.
The Tales of Hoffmann is a production of the highly renowned Semperoper Dresden.
Libretto by Jules Barbier, based on the play by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré. Edited by Michael Kaye and Jean-Christophe Keck.
The Tales of Hoffmann is a fabulous festival of arias with world class soloists, including the sopranos Helena Juntunen, Jenny Carlstedt and Measha Brueggergosman. The production will also be a prime opportunity to experience the impressive power of the Chorus of the FNO.
”This production is both-and, it has so many layers. The stories overlap, divide, interlock and break apart again. In our direction, we’ve tried to stay true to Hoffmann’s kaleidoscopic storytelling style. There is no continuity in life. We’d love there to be, but reality bites every time.”
– Director Johannes Erath
The poet Hoffmann details the great loves of his life. First he is in love with Olympia who is perfect – apart from the fact that she’s in fact a mechanical doll. Then we meet the sick Antonia who will die if she sings, and yet she bursts into song. Finally, we’re introduced to the Venetian courtesan Giulietta to the tune of the famous barcarolle.
You can read the complete synopsis in the programme leaflet.
Please note that seats in the lowest price category on the sides of the 2nd and 3rd balconies have a restricted view of the stage.
Performances on 19 Oct, 25 Oct, 27 Oct, 14 Nov, 16 Nov and 20 Nov are included in the season ticket. Individual tickets will go on sale on 12 June 2018.
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Choose your favourite refreshments from this season’s tasty menu. You can easily add refreshments to your shopping basket while selecting tickets in our new online store.
The services of the Opera Restaurant are available before performances and during the interval. Order beforehand and avoid the queues.
Please note that we cannot guarantee a specific table for orders made via the online store. We may also seat several parties at the same table. You may be assigned a bar height table for enjoying refreshments standing up.
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