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The Tales of Hoffmann

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Synopsis Cast Bios Composer Behind the Scenes	Synopsis by Act
	PROLOGUE: Nuremberg The Muse of Poetry decides to claim German poet, composer and literary critic E.T.A. Hoffmann for herself, as an invisible chorus celebrates the joys of imbibing. Andrès, private secretary to a beautiful Italian prima donna named Stella, enters the tavern with a letter for Hoffmann, a well-known drunkard. He is accosted by Lindorf, who intercepts the letter and discovers it contains a key to Stella’s room, as well as a passionate declaration of her love. Lindorf, optimistic that he can compete for the lady’s affections, settles down to wait. Stella is starring in the Nuremberg Opera House next door, in a production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni. The proprietor and waiters prepare for the arrival of Stella and her entourage, expected immediately after the performance. At the conclusion of the first act, students and other theatergoers jam the tavern looking for a drink, praising Stella and seeking Hoffmann. The poet arrives with his companion Nicklausse and is cajoled into telling a story. However, his mind is on Stella, despite his protests that he is not in love with her. Hoffmann spots his detested rival, Lindorf, and the pair exchange insults. The poet notes, uneasily, that every encounter with Lindorf brings ill consequences, even in love; as evidence, Hoffmann tells the story of three doomed love affairs, beginning with Olympia. Luther, the tavern owner, announces that the curtain is about to go up on Act Two of Don Giovanni, but the promise of Hoffmann’s tales commands the rapt attention of his audience. ACT ONE: Paris Spalanzani, an eccentric inventor, has constructed a life-sized mechanical doll. He fears he will be forced to share any money made off his invention with its co-creator, Coppélius. Hoffmann, a student of Spalanzani, arrives on the scene. Rather than discussing science, the old inventor talks about his daughter Olympia. When Spalanzi is called away, momentarily, Hoffmann discovers a girl sleeping behind a curtain and assumes it is Spalanzi’s beloved daughter. In the blink of an eye, he is smitten. Hoffmann’s newly arrived friend, Nicklausse, makes fun of his infatuation and warns him that things aren’t necessarily what they seem. Coppélius, meanwhile, sells Hoffmann a pair of glasses, which will supposedly allow him to peer “deep into a woman’s heart.” Oh yes, Coppélius has returned to Paris, looking for his share of the profits. That very day the crème of Parisian society is coming to Spalanzani’s home to see the marvelous doll. Olympia is universally admired and sings an aria for the influential guests. Hoffmann, still convinced that the young lady is flesh and blood, gushes with emotion. The doll responds “Oui” or, “yes,” each time he touches her shoulder. An angry Coppélius returns to the house after discovering that the bank draft (his share of the profits) is worthless. He vows to get even and hides. The guests return and Hoffmann enjoys a lively waltz with Olympia. Collapsing, he breaks his magic glasses in time to see Coppélius destroy the doll. Realizing the truth at last, Hoffmann collapses yet again. ACT TWO: Venice A courtesan named Giulietta is giving a party. Her guests are gathered around as the lady, accompanied by Nicklausse, sings a barcarole. Hoffmann, singing a rowdy drinking song, shatters the mood with his entrance. Giulietta introduces her lover, Schlemiel, to Hoffmann before the other guests retire to play cards. Once again, Nicklausse warns Hoffmann to proceed with caution. As the pair exit, the evil magician Dappertutto arrives --- swearing to bring Hoffmann under his power, as he has Schlemil. He entices Giulietta with a brilliant diamond ring. She has given him Schlemil’s shadow; now he wants Hoffmann’s reflection. Giulietta at once sets about charming Hoffmann out of his reflection. The writer swears that his life, his love, and his reflection, are all hers. Schlemil, who witnesses this tender moment, is urged to kill Hoffmann. Dappertutto, meanwhile, presents the author with a mirror and Hoffmann is shocked to discover that his reflection is gone. The other guests depart and Giulietta invites Hoffmann to her chamber. Hoffmann demands that her other lover, Schlemil, give up his key. Instead, Schlemil draws his sword and is killed in the ensuing duel. Dashing into Giulietta’s room, Hoffmann discovers she is gone: gliding away in a gondola, mocking him, in the arms of her servant. ACT THREE: Munich A man named Crespel has just moved to the city, bringing with him a collection of musical instruments, a portrait of his dead wife and his dear daughter Antonia, now seated at the piano, singing. The girl is possessed of her mother’s beautiful voice and a fatal chest ailment. Crespel reminds her of her promise never to sing, but the innocent young woman believes that in singing, her mother is reborn in her. Nevertheless, she agrees to obey her father. Crespel ponders his decision to flee to Munich to protect Antonia from the attentions of Hoffmann, and he instructs his servant to open the door to no man. However, Hoffmann (accompanied by a reluctant Nicklausse) enters by the back door and begins to play a love song on the piano. Recognizing his voice and the tune, Antonia rushes in and the two declare their love for each other. Hoffmann urges her to sing. Despite her father’s ban, Antonia complies with her lover’s wishes, nearly collapsing when the song is done. The author hides, as Crespel returns, in order to learn the secret. Crespel accuses another visitor, Dr. Miracle, of attempting to kill the girl, as he did her mother. The doctor summons the invisible Antonia to the room and, under the pretense of a medical examination, orders her to sing. Hoffmann vows to save his lady love as her father forces Dr. Miracle out the door. Now it is Hoffmann who begs Antonia not to sing. After he departs, Miracle returns and conjures up the life she will never experience if she marries Hoffmann. Looking to her mother’s portrait for guidance, it suddenly comes to life (through Miracle’s magic). Seizing a violin, Dr. Miracle urges Antonia to sing. The young woman sings until she can stand no longer. As she collapses, Dr. Miracle vanishes and her agonized father rushes to her side in time to see his daughter die. With Hoffmann’s reappearance, the anguished Crespel blames him for Antonia’s death and has to be restrained by Nicklausse. Hoffmann calls for medical help, but it’s too late. EPILOGUE: Nuremberg Hoffmann finishes his tale as the curtain falls in the opera house next door. Stella’s performance has been a triumph. Nicklausse explains that the three loves Hoffmann described are, in fact, different facets of Stella, and he proposes a toast. Furious, Hoffmann smashes the glass and then, gets himself “smashed,” so that he is unable to recognize Stella when she arrives. Cursing his own passions, he now discovers that his companion, Nicklausse, has been transformed into his poetic muse. She begs him to renounce earthly passions in favor of his art. In the end, Hoffmann finds himself abandoned and utterly alone.

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Hover over a date in the calendar above to see the days event(s) listed here.

Thursday 03/04/10

6:30PM - 8:00PM
CANCELED- Amici and Leadership FWOpera Costume Shop Tour at The Wiley Theater
The Wiley Theater, AT&T Performing Arts Center, 2400 Flora Street, Dallas, TX 75201

Friday 03/05/10

6:00PM - 7:00PM
AMICI Night - DON PASQUALE
Winspear Opera House - 2403 Flora Street, Dallas 75201

Friday 03/05/10

7:30PM - 10:30PM
DON PASQUALE - Friday Evening Performance
Winspear Opera House - Flora Street, Dallas 75201

Sunday 03/07/10

2:00PM - 5:00PM
DON PASQUALE - Sunday Matinee 2
Winspear Opera House - Flora Street, Dallas 75201

Saturday 03/13/10

12:00PM - 12:30PM
Inside The Dallas Opera on WRR 101.1 FM
Listen to WRR 101.1 FM

Monday 03/15/10

6:30PM - 7:30PM
Moby Dick Book Club- Session 5
The Winspear Opera House- 2403 Flora St. Dallas TX 75201

Tuesday 03/16/10

5:30PM - 7:00PM
Amici Happy Hour- Dali Wine Bar, One Arts Plaza
Dali Wine Bar- 1722 Routh St., Dallas TX 75201

Saturday 03/20/10

11:30AM - 9:00PM
The Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition
Gooch Auditorium (UT Southwestern Medical Center) 5323 Harry Hines Blvd. at Butler

Saturday 03/27/10

2:00PM - 4:30PM
"From Page to Stage: The Operatic Journey of Moby-Dick"
SMU- Caruth Auditorium

Sunday 03/28/10

4:00PM - 5:30PM
"From Page to Stage: The Operatic Journey of Moby-Dick- Exclusive Subcriber Event"
The Winspear Opera House- Hamon Hall, 2403 Flora Street, Dallas, TX 75201