Tales of Hoffmann

The Tales of Hoffmann is a widely beloved opera. It was Jacques Offenbach's final opera. Offenbach died before the premiere in Paris in 1881. The text is composed of three short stories by the real-life ETA Hoffmann. The stories are each about a failed love:

ETA Hoffmann was a Renaissance man as well as a rogue. He died of syphillis at the age of 46. Hoffmann wrote short stories, novels, music, opera and is tied to the emergence of science fiction. Among his stories are the three that make up Tales of Hoffman and The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. He also created the character, Dr. Coppelius, who appears both in Tales of Hoffman as the maker of the automaton, Olympia, and as the creator of the ballerina in Delibes ballet, Coppelia.

We will present a film version of Tales of Hoffmann by the Archers (Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger). This 1951 film fits well within the golden era of the Broadway musical. This production was a reward project from the Rank Organisation for Powell & Pressburger's great success with The Red Shoes. But, Arthur Rank hated it and tried to quash it. Despite Rank's opinion, celebrated film directors loved it, including Cecile B. DeMille, George Romero and Martin Scorcese.



The film version of Tales of Hoffmann was a critical success. Hein Heckroth won two 1952 Academy Awards, one for artistic direction and another for set design. The soundtrack was recorded entirely in advance with the opera conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham using then currently performing opera singers. The cast also included real ballet dancers -- Moira Shearer and Ludmilla Tcherina -- who also appeared in The Red Shoes. The film was then shot and edited to fit the pre-recorded score. It is fair to label this film version of Tales of Hoffman "high art". Heckroth and the Archers collaborated with Picasso, Matisse and other artists in the artistic stylings. Those influences have led to artistic decisions that may clash with traditional operatic sensibilities.

Please bring an open mind and enjoy a different version of an opera you have likely seen before and a great film you may not have yet experienced.

English libretto for Tales of Hoffmann




A great director's homage to a great cinema/opera/ballet achievement.

Martin Scorcese discussing his admiration for Powell & Pressburger as a writer/director team and the excellence of their "Tales of Hoffmann."

Olympia's Doll Song

Patricia Janeckova sings "The Doll Song" from the Olympia section of Hoffmann. Sadly, Patricia died at 25 years of age in 2023 from breast cancer.

If you view this clip, Youtube will tempt you with many other versions of The Doll aria. My favorites are by Natalie Dessay and Joan Sutherland. But the clip below may be the most remarkable of all.

Future of Opera Performance?

Serena Sánz sings and dances The Doll Song. Many very fine sopranos have sung Olympia and pantomimed doll-like movements. Moira Shearer danced but lip-synched the role. Ms. Sáenz achieves something not seen or heard before. Broadway stars have been "triple threats" for nearly a century. Why not in opera?

Ms. Sáenz has studied dance as well as voice. She has chosen voice as her career and has sung numerous roles. There are several aria roles on Youtube to enjoy. In 2022 she sang Queen of the Night at the Opera Barcelona under Dudamel's baton.