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Product Description
The famous and highly praised Royal Opera production by the film director John Schlesinger, filmed in 1981, is as good as we are ever likely to see. The spectacular designs by Maria Bjornson and William Dudley vividly bring Hoffmann’s nightmare world to life. The brilliant cast is led by Placido Domingo as Hoffmann, in one of his towering portrayals. He has become wholly identified with this part, in a way that no other artist has.
The all-star cast also includes Luciana Serra as Olympia, Agnes Baltsa as Giulietta, Ileana Cortrubas as Antonia, Robert Lloyd as Lindorf, Geraint Evans as Coppelius, Nicola Ghiuselev as Dr Miracle, Sigmund Nimsgern as Dappertutto. The score, which includes such favourites as the Barcarolle and the Doll’s Song is conducted by Georges Pretre.
Product Description
Racconti Di Hoffmann (I) / Les Contes D'Hoffman
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By C. K. Wilson
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I was lucky enough to have seen this on BBC live from the Royal Opera House and although it was many years ago it still remains a favourite of mine. Having the three wonderful sopranos as opposed to the usual one added a dimension note seen since, as far as I am aware. And Placido Domingo was at his best during this period. Excellent DVD.
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
Placido Domingo leads an all round excellent cast. The singing is of a very high standard, and it is very well staged and produced.
I would recommend this to any opera lover, even if they are unfamiliar with this work.
I would recommend this to any opera lover, even if they are unfamiliar with this work.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Probably one of the greatest opera performances and recordings ever. I was not lucky enough to be there but instead it caught my ear as I was listening to the BBC Radio 3 live broadcast. Astonishing singing and great that there is at least a DVD recording as I cannot find a CD recording.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By barnesdave
Format:DVD
Shot in the days when we did not have sharp picture definition this production is a total triumph. I was at Covent Garden the first night it opened and it was the most electrifying production.
Agnes Baltsa for me is the supreme crowning achievement of this production. Every gesture, toss of the head and movement conveys the manipulation of Hoffman and the intoxifying mix of the bizarre and the human.
A triumph and don't let any one tell you otherwise.
Agnes Baltsa for me is the supreme crowning achievement of this production. Every gesture, toss of the head and movement conveys the manipulation of Hoffman and the intoxifying mix of the bizarre and the human.
A triumph and don't let any one tell you otherwise.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By trottman
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
The many five star ratings for this production are amply justified. Production values(traditional), music and singing are at a very high standard. The direction for video is by the very experienced and capable Brian Large although this was quite an early outing for this master of the craft. The programme notes are minimal in the extreme. Fortunately there are at least chapter headings but there is only very limited information about the opera. Only the actual stars are named from the large cast and here serious omissions include Robert Tear as Spalanzini, Claire Powell as Nicklaus and Gwynne Howell as Crespel which are large parts.
Rightly Placido Domingo has received great praise for his fine central performance but the production is also well served by his three great loves. Luciana Serra delivers a beautifully sung and acted Doll's Song; Agnes Baltsa is totally believable as the courtesan Giulietta and Ileana Cotrubas brings a fragile vulnerability to the doomed Antonia. Among the great sopranos of the 1970s & 1980s this performer had few rivals in conveying pathos.
Trottman
Rightly Placido Domingo has received great praise for his fine central performance but the production is also well served by his three great loves. Luciana Serra delivers a beautifully sung and acted Doll's Song; Agnes Baltsa is totally believable as the courtesan Giulietta and Ileana Cotrubas brings a fragile vulnerability to the doomed Antonia. Among the great sopranos of the 1970s & 1980s this performer had few rivals in conveying pathos.
Trottman
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By R. Bruce
Format:DVD
I cannot think of any weaknesses on the part of the cast performing this opera. One would not expect anything but a first class performance from Placido Domingo in the title role and he does not disappoint here. However, it is the supporting roles that make this B.B.C /Covent Garden production a gem. My only criticism is perhaps the picture quality, particularly the stage lighting that could have been better although it was recorded no doubt, on tape, some years ago.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Skillfully directed and staged, with excelleny eye for detail. Superbly acted and beautifully sung. This Covent Garden production is unbeatable. Five stars.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is the best performance I have seen of this opera !
Every thing about it is first class----the singing, the acting,the scenes are all superb.
I can highly recommend this DVD.
Every thing about it is first class----the singing, the acting,the scenes are all superb.
I can highly recommend this DVD.
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4.3 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very Good
The singing is wonderful and the music fabulous. Domingo when he was at his very best. Good Production lovely setting.
Published 9 days ago by L. L. Hart
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tales of Hoffmann
I have always loved the Tales of Hoffmann, since I was a child. I prefer the sequence which starts with Olympia, followed by the barcarolle.
Published 1 month ago by Tony
1.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointed
I was looking forward to watching this opera for the first time and took guidance from the Amazon Reviews.
This DVD is actually awful. Read more
This DVD is actually awful. Read more
Published 14 months ago by K. Davis
4.0 out of 5 stars
Opera lover
Lovely production and cast.
Fantastic performance and singing by Domingo.
The drawback of the opera is the 3 "flames" of Hoffman , especially Antonia, which... Read more
Fantastic performance and singing by Domingo.
The drawback of the opera is the 3 "flames" of Hoffman , especially Antonia, which... Read more
Published 21 months ago by arildo
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