Les contes d'Hoffmann (The Tales of Hoffmann) - Jacques Offenbach
Information about the opera Les contes d'Hoffmann by Jacques Offenbach, and the best recordings available on CD or DVD, or for download.
Offenbach's last and only serious opera consists of a prologue, and three separate stories about Hoffman's doomed love affairs.
Recommended recordings on CD
Bonynge/Domingo/Sutherland (Decca 417 363-2)
A first-class recording.
Suisse Romande Orchestra, Suisse Romande Radio Chorus, Du Brassure Chorus, Lausanne Pro Arte Chorus, conducted by Richard Bonynge, 1968.
Cast: Plácido Domingo (Hoffmann), Dame Joan Sutherland (Olympia).
Decca 417 363-2
Recommended recordings on DVD
Guingal/Machado/Poblador (Opus Arte OA 0968 D)
Recorded live in Bilbao in 2006.
Bilbao Opera Chorus, Bilbao Orkestra Sinfonikoa, conducted by Alain Guingal, 2006.
Cast: Aquiles Machado (Hoffmann), Milagros Poblador (Olympia).
Opus Arte OA 0968 D
López-Cobos/Shicoff/Rancatore (TDK DV-OPLCDH)
A superb production. The Olympia episode is especially good.
Paris Opera Chorus, Paris Opera Orchestra, conducted by Jésus López-Cobos, 2002.
Cast: Neil Shicoff (Hoffmann), Désirée Rancatore (Olympia).
TDK DV-OPLCDH