Les Contes d’Hoffmann at the Royal Opera House

Vittorio Grigòlo in the title role leads an excellent cast including Thomas Hampson, Sonya Yoncheva, Christine Rice and Sofia Fomina.

The Royal Opera’s production of Les Contes d’Hoffmann was created in 1980 by the award-winning director John Schlesinger, best known for his work in film (Midnight Cowboy, Sunday Bloody Sunday) and television (Cold Comfort Farm, An Englishman Abroad). Schlesinger’s production sets Hoffman’s tales in the 19th century, drawing on styles from both Hoffmann and Offenbach’s times. William Dudley’s magnificent set designs and Maria Björnson’s sumptuous costumes realize to brilliant effect the extravagant flourishes of Hoffmann’s imaginative world. Vittorio Grigòlo in the title role leads an excellent cast including Thomas Hampson, Sonya Yoncheva, Christine Rice and Sofia Fomina in Offenbach’s fantastical operatic drama.

English title Les Contes d’Hoffmann
Recording location Royal Opera House, 2016
Duration 170 mins
Production Company Royal Opera House
Composer Jacques Offenbach
Orchestra / Band Royal Opera House
Conductor Evelino Pidò
Stage Director John Schlesinger
Soloist Vittorio Grigòlo, Thomas Hampson, Sonya Yoncheva, Christine Rice, Sofia Fomina