Offenbach: Hoffmann's Tales (Royal Opera House, Directed by: Michieletto)

A poet thinks of the women he once loved. But when it comes to matters of the heart, nothing is as it seems. Especially when the devil himself has his fingers in the game... Hoffmann returns to his school days and relives his childhood romance with Olympia, a student who is exemplary in every respect. Unfortunate love is also his doom in adulthood, as the dancer Antonia is taken from him far too soon. Meanwhile, the sensual courtesan Giulietta pursues her own secret plans. As memory and fantasy blur more and more, will Hoffmann find the mysterious Stella before it is too late? The Olivier Award-winning director Damiano Michieletto returns to the Royal Opera with a new production of Offenbach's "Hoffmann's Tales". The conductor Antonello Manacorda, with whom Michieletto has already worked on "Carmen", leads Juan Diego Flórez in the role of the poet E.T.A. Hoffmann, Alex Esposito as the four villains, Julie Boulianne as Nicklausse and Ermonela Jaho, Olga Pudova and Marina Costa-Jackson as Hoffmann's unforgettable love triangle. The Peruvian-Austrian lyric tenor Juan Diego Flórez is considered the leading representative of the rare and difficult tenore di grazia of today. He sings at the major opera houses of the world, has recorded several albums and received many awards. The Albanian soprano Ermonela Jaho is also noteworthy, she just recently (2024) received the Oper! Award as best singer of the year. She works on major operas in the USA and Europe and also has an extensive discography.