Les Contes D'Hoffmann - Royal Opera House Orchestra details
| Format: | Ex DVD |
|---|---|
| Starring: | Luciana Serra, Robert Tear, Placido Domingo, Claire Powell, Royal Opera House Orchestra |
| Directors: | Brian Large, Brian Large |
| Genre: | Music/Musical - Opera/Operetta, Performing Arts |
| Studio: | WARNER MUSIC VISION |
| Name | Discs | |
|---|---|---|
Les Contes D'Hoffmann - Royal Opera House Orchestra |
Ex Feature |
DVD Information
| Run time: | 2 hours 30 minutes |
|---|---|
| Rental release: | 22 Sep 2003 |
| Main languages: | French |
| Subtitles: | English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish |
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Most helpful review
Most enjoyable ? especially with a few glasses of wine
By Martin Carter from London , 08 Jan 2005[Highly rated reviewer]
This is probably Offenbach?s most ambitious piece moving away from his natural puffy operetta style towards something a little more substantial. It?s still tremendous fun though. And what an interesting writer ETA Hoffmann was. The first tale appears to be more or less that used by Delibes for his ballet Coppelia. This story must have been written by Hoffmann about the same time or before Mary Shelley?s Frankenstein. Both are about a scientist/magician creating an artificial life form ? must have been something in the air at the time. A very young looking Placido Domingo (this performance is over 20 years old) is Hoffmann and is in fine voice ? although it must be said his French pronunciation leaves something to be desired. Luciana Serra is great fun as the clockwork doll magically brought to life ? impressive top E flat. There is a brief cameo appearance by Sir Geraint Evans as Coppelius. The second tale contains the famous barcarolle. This reminds me of the story of some poor deceased who had requested a ?Bach Choral? be played at his funeral, but unfortunately it was misheard and? The third tale, although a little melodramatic, contains Offenbach?s strongest music. It?s a shame perhaps that he did not create more operas like Les Contes D?Hoffmann, but then again we would not have wanted fewer operettas! Two channel sound only.- Was this review helpful to you?
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All reviews
(6)A fine production of Offenbach's classic opera
By riskysmith (107 reviews) , 11 Oct 2012[Highly rated reviewer]
When I was looking for discs to rent to add to the discs I really want to view, I saw this and added it as Tales of Hoffmann is a favourite of mine. However with a library of over 200 operas and three different versions of the Tales, I had not realised I already owned a copy of this dvd. I therefore watched my copy again to refresh my memory, which at 84 is not as good as it was once. Each version of the opera has something to commend it. This one has excellent scenery and costumes, and some fine performances. However although it is now very dated, my favourite remains the film, with Bruce Dargavel singing the part of the badies, and Robert Helpman dancing. His fine bass voice has stayed in my mind for many years.- Was this review helpful to you?
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Why video didn't kill the radio star
By Sleat (77 reviews) , 27 Jul 2012[Highly rated reviewer]
This disc underlines how audio lasts better than video. While there is of course great singing here, and the chance to see Placido Domingo in a full role, it's very obvious that this is a transfer from an elderly video tape. The picture has lost sharpness and the colour contrast is muted. This was taken from a BBC broadcast from Covent Garden in the early 80s - there are no 'extras', commentary or synopsis on the disc. Since these are the DVD equivalent of the programme at a live performance, that's a pity.- Was this review helpful to you?
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One size does not fit all
By PaoloC (55 reviews) from Norwich , 21 Apr 2009A lavish and well sung production, which allows Domingo to appear as a drunk, a swaggering gent and Elvis in white suit. Its a strange opera, which Offenbach did not finish and which can be played in a variety of sequences. John Schlesinger's production is tremendous to look at and works well for the inn scenes and Hoffman's love for Coppelia and in Venice, but falls down badly in the Munich act, This is intimate and touching, lost in the huge set with a ridiculous stage villain Dr Miracle. Set as the final of the Tales it spoils the evening. If you hire the DVD play the acts in reverse order.- Was this review helpful to you?
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Les Contes D'Hoffmann
By a customer from Dundee , 21 Jan 2009This is an excellent production. Worth watching.- Was this review helpful to you?
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Hoffmann's tales
By a customer from Sudbury , 12 Jan 2009Having previously only known the Barcarolle and the Doll's aria, I was fascinated to see how these 'pops' fitted into the wider canvas of the opera. I loved the music, and it was generally well sung, but the episodic nature of the work's architecture resulted in the need for perseverence on the viewer's part to be drawn into the emotional journey. The ludicrous tradition of excessive curtain calls at the end of each act does nothing to support continuity, but then you can always fast forward! Generally very enjoyable and a chance to see/hear Domingo in good voice.- Was this review helpful to you?
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