Les Contes d'Hoffmann
1988Otto Schenk’s brilliant production captures both the dark romanticism of the story as well as its fairy-tale magic. It is a superb setting for Neil Shicoff’s vivid portrayal of the tortured poet Hoffmann, as he recounts the loves of his life and the way he has been foiled by his nemesis—a marvelous James Morris in a tour-de-force performance of the opera’s four villains. Gwendolyn Bradley is the doll Olympia, Tatiana Troyanos sings the courtesan Giulietta, and Roberta Alexander portrays the innocent Antonia.
Acted in
Neil Shicoff
as Hoffmann
Susan Quittmeyer
as Nicklausse / Muse
James Morris
as Lindorf / Coppélius / Dapertutto / Dr. Miracle
Gwendolyn Bradley
as Olympia
Tatiana Troyanos
as Giulietta
Roberta Alexander
as Antonia
Pauline Andrey
as Stella
Anthony Laciura
as Andrès / Cochenille / Pitichinaccio / Frantz
Spiro Malas
as Luther
Mark Baker
as Nathanaël
Andrea Velis
as Spalanzani
Morley Meredith
as Schlemil
John Macurdy
as Crespel
Gweneth Bean
as Antonia's mother
David Bernard
as Hermann