Offenbach - Des contes d'Hoffmann (Some Tales of Hoffmann) / Nagano, Galvez-Vallejo, Dessay, Lyon Opera

Rating:
Summary: Hoffmann Meets One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Review: This unorthodox staging has been sadly maligned by previous (rather conservative) viewers. Although I am a fan of traditional stagings (e.g., the Met's, which is not yet available on DVD, and the soon to be released Criterion DVD of the 1951 Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger film, with Sir Thomas Beecham conducting--a fantastic movie that inspired Martin Scorsese to become a director), I also think that imaginative reworkings can bring out new dimensions to multi-faceted, complex masterpieces such as Offenbach's great opera. The concept employed in this staging is that Hoffman has been committed to a mental asylum where he relives the stories he recounts with the other inmates. Even if the stark staging doesn't 'work' for most people, the impressive acting (most of the video is shot in mid-range shots and closeups anyway), singing (Dessay in particular is a superlative Olympia) and playing of the Lyon Opera orchestra under Nagano's baton are reasons enough to consider purchasing this disc. Not a complete triumph, but a bold and innovative version that will stimulate you aurally and mentally.

Rating:
Summary: Stinks to High Heaven
Review: This version of Jacque Offenbach's wonderful opera "Tales of Hoffman" stinks to high heaven! The set (there was only one set), the costumes (virtually non-existent), and even the singing were distortions of the worst kind. I am hard put to give this DVD the dignity of a single star. It is a total waste of money in purchasing it and of time in watching/listening to it. I'm very much surprised it was even produced by the Lyon, France opera company. Once produced, it should never have been marketed to a gullible public. Unfortunately reviews of this abomination were unavailable to me when I purchased it. Had reviews been available, I would have avoided it like the plague. I quickly threw it in the trash after playing it only once.

Rating:
Summary: Stinks to High Heaven
Review: This version of Jacque Offenbach's wonderful opera "Tales of Hoffman" stinks to high heaven! The set (there was only one set), the costumes (virtually non-existent), and even the singing were distortions of the worst kind. I am hard put to give this DVD the dignity of a single star. It is a total waste of money in purchasing it and of time in watching/listening to it. I'm very much surprised it was even produced by the Lyon, France opera company. Once produced, it should never have been marketed to a gullible public. Unfortunately reviews of this abomination were unavailable to me when I purchased it. Had reviews been available, I would have avoided it like the plague. I quickly threw it in the trash after playing it only once.

Rating:
Summary: A pleasant, unorthodox version.
Review: While I would not rate the Lyon's Opera House version of Des Comptes d'Hoffman as a masterpiece, I would not dismiss it offhand either. I do object abridged versions, but the effort to provide a nicely coherent storyline with strong musical performances should be welcomed. This is not, however, a recording for neophytes. Indeed, the reordering of scenes and the strange settings certainly do not correspond to the traditional renderings in view both in London and Paris. The merit of this sort of recording is that it underlines the importance of a dramatic line by questioning traditional interpretations. This pushes audiences, I believe, to approach opera as a really major art form. If truth be said, however, I am not sure that the version under review achieves dramatic excellence. However, the performances of van Dam, Becquier, Balley, Hendricks and Dessay are a pleasure to hear. Do not run to acquire this version, but if you already love this opera you might enjoy the unorthodox interpretation.