Tales are long but delightful
By Juliet Schoen/Staff Writer
A stellar cast and imaginative sets bring sparkle to Offenbach’s dark opera, “The Tales of Hoffman,” performed by the Los Angeles Opera at the Music Center. Three-and-a-half hours fly by as the poet Hoffman describes his ill-fated love affairs. Three romances in three acts follow a prologue, which introduces us to the protagonist and his nemesis, a mysterious figure who bedevils him all along the way.
In each story, the villain is portrayed by none other than Samuel Ramey, the noted bass-baritone who specializes in playing the Devil. After four decades as numero uno in his voice range, he still sings eloquently and carries the necessary panache. The anguished hero is sung by the tenor Marcus Haddock, a relative newcomer who is making his mark in the opera world. The three loves are Sumi Jo, Milena Kitic and Andrea Rost. Jo has the neatest role as Olympia, the doll who fools Hoffman but cannot fool anyone else. Her mechanical movements are hilarious, while her coloratura is spectacular. Alas, she is shaken, not stirred, by the mean-spirited Coppelius (Ramey). Milena Kitic is glamorous as Giulietta, the Venetian courtesan. During her star turn, we get to hear the famous Barcarolle. The nasty Dapertutto (Ramey) arrives in a barge and manages to squash another “amour.”
Hoffman has one more chance to find love in Act Three. However, his Antonia, Andrea Rost, is ill and will die if she sings. Dr. Miracle (Ramey) arrives and talks her into singing. Antonia displays her lovely voice and dies in the arms of poor, frustrated Hoffman.
Despite these sad blows to his pride, Hoffman finally finds solace with his Muse, who has followed him on his adventures disguised as his friend, Nicklausse. Elizabeth Batton performs nobly in this difficult toga/trouser role.
Others in the cast who shine are Greg Fedderly, hilarious in four roles, Luis Contreras, David Babinet, William Parcher, Robert Tear, John Atkins, Louis Lebherz, Cynthia Jansen and Janice Cronkhite.
Responsible for conceiving and directing the admirable production is Marta Domingo who has resumed her own career now that her husband, Placido, is doing well on his own. The ingenious sets, devised by Giovanni Agostinucci, capture the supernatural ambience. Emmanuel Villaume directs the reliable Los Angeles Opera .
Jacques Offenbach, known for his popular light-hearted operas, wanted to be known for a more serious work and in “The Tales of Hoffman,” he has succeeded. The music is lyrical and suits the various singers in their disparate roles.
E.T.A. Hoffman, the German writer who could hold his own against Poe and Stephen King, bases the opera on fantastic and surreal stories.
The final performance takes place on Dec. 21, but tickets are hard to come by.