A firm critics’ favourite
Hoffmann’s fast-paced stories will grab you from the very start. Johannes Erath’s critically-acclaimed direction maintains constant action onstage, while still giving space to Jacques Offenbach’s entrancingly beautiful music. What’s more, the border between the stage and the audience will be blurred in a surprising way. 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.
Ticket sales will begin on Wednesday the 11th of April 2018.
The Tales of Hoffmann is a production of the highly renowned Semperoper Dresden. Image credit: Jochen Quast/Semperoper Dresden
”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.
Music
Jacques Offenbach
Conductor
Director
Johannes Erath
Sets
Heike Scheele
Costumes
Gesine Völlm
Lighting design
Fabio Antoci
Video design
Alexander Scherpink
Hoffmann
Hoffmann
Muse
Olympia
Antonia
Giulietta
Lindorf / coppelius / dapertutto / mirakel
Andreas/ cochenille/ pitichinaccio/ frantz
Spalanzani
Schlemihl/ hermann
Crespel/ luther
Mother's voice
Nathanael
NN
Wilhelm
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.
Sweet and savoury treats
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 the refreshments for performances in season 2018–2019 are currently available in our online store only.
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