The online opera guide to LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN (Synopsis)
Get to know the Synopsis of the opera LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN by Jacques Offenbach. In a 4-minute film you will watch the most important actions. Enriched with role descriptions and informative illustrations.
The Synopsis of LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN in 4 minutes
Relationship diagram in LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN of main roles
Blogpost on the opera
Read and watch the blogpost about this opera with interesting facts and great YouTube Videos
The written Synopsis of LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN
The Roles:
Hoffmann, Poet and Musician
La Muse / Nicklausse, Muse & Friend of Hoffmann
Stella / Olympia / Antonia / Giulietta, Hoffmanns lovers
Lindorf / Coppélius / Dr. Miracle / Dappertutto, Rivals of Hoffmann
Synopsis
The Prologue. Hoffmann is in a tavern waiting for Stella, who is singing in the opera house that evening. He is watched by the rival Lindorf and accompanied by his muse Nicklausse. He drinks with students to forget his grief. They ask him to sing Kleinzack’s ballad and want to hear more. Hoffmann tells his adventures with the three women.
The story of Olympia. Olympia is the lifelike mechanical doll of Spalanzani. He looks at her through the glasses of Coppelius and does not realize that she is not a living woman. Nicklausse tries to warn him, but Hoffman falls in love when Spalanzani makes Olympia dance and sing (“Les oiseaux dans la charmilles”). But Coppélius, the creator of Olympias eyes, did not get his money, so he sabotages Olympia. And Olympia falls apart while Hoffmann is dancing with her. The bewildered Hoffman flees the town.
The story of Antonia. Antonia is Crespel’s daughter. She sings wonderfully, but Crespel fears that she (like her mother) will die of an illness caused by singing. Hoffmann and Antonia have fallen in love with eachother and she renounces singing for him. Doctor Mirakel, who had already cured the mother (to death), does not like this. He creates an illusion making Antonia think her mother is encouraging her to sing again. So she does and dies. Again Hoffmann flees.
The story of Giulietta. In a venetian palace: Nicklausse and Giulietta sing about love. Hoffmann renounces love and sings a drinking song. Dappertutto appears and shows Giulietta a sparkling diamond and promises it to her if she takes Hofmann’s mirror image. Giulietta seduces Hoffmann, who falls in love again, and she steals his mirror image. Hoffmann kills his rival Schlemihl. Giulietta laughing leaves together with Dappertutto. Hoffmann and Nicklausse must flee again.
The Epilogue. Back in Luter’s tavern: Hoffmann is drunk and rejects Stella as she appears. Nicklausse triumphs and reveals herself as Muse. Lindorf leaves with Stella.
The top 5 highlights of LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN
Il était une fois à la cour de’Eisenach - Domingo / Bonynge
Les oiseaux dans la charmille - Sutherland / Bonynge
Helas mon coeur s’égare - Gedda / Schwarzkopf et al
Barcarolle (belle nuit, o nuit d’amour) - Caballé / Verrett
Elle a fui la tourterelle - Netrebko
Peter Lutz, opera-inside, the online opera guide, Synopsis
This post is also available in: German
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!