Les Contes d'Hoffmann (1981)

Les Contes d'Hoffmann (1981)

1981-12-01 United Kingdom 150 Min. PG-13
6.6 4 votes

Overview

Seeking to exorcise the failure of his current love affair, the poet Hoffmann tells the tales of his three past loves - the doll-like Olympia, the high-class courtesan Giulietta, and the ambitious but delicate Antonia - and recalls how each was thwarted by the evil influence of his rival. In this production by the distinguished film director, John Schlesinger, with spectacular designs by Maria Bjornson and William Dudley, Offenbach's nightmare world is brought to life. The all-star cast is headed by Placido Domingo as Hoffmann: his three loves are Ileana Cotrubas, Anges Baltsa and Luciana Serra and the manifestations of his rival are sung by Geraint Evans, Robert Lloyd, Siegmund Nimsgern and Nicola Ghiuselev. The score, which includes such favourites as the "Barcarolle" and the "Doll's Song", is conducted by Georges Pretre.

Cast

Agnes Baltsa is Giulietta
Giulietta
Robert Lloyd is Lindorf
Luciana Serra is Olympia
Geraint Evans is Coppélius
Coppélius
Gwynne Howell is Crespel
Claire Powell is Nicklaus/Muse
Nicklaus/Muse
Siegmund Nimsgern is Dapertutto
Philip Gelling is Schlemil
Francis Egerton is Pittichinaccio
Pittichinaccio