Les Contes d'Hoffmann

The Israeli Opera Chorus

Chorus Master: Assaf Benraf

The Opera Orchestra - The Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon LeZion

Libretto: Jules Barbier

Sung in French

English and Hebrew Surtitles
Translation: Israel Ouval

Duration: Approx 3 hours and 40 minutes including 2 intermissions

A coproduction with l'Opera de Lausanne and l'Opera Royal de Wallonie, Liege

7.11.2022 – The opening event of the opera season, donated by Sara and Prof. Michael Sela

Prologue
Luther prepares for the guests to enter his wine cellar near the opera house during the interval of a Don Giovanni performance and offers them punch. Hoffmann arrives in a bad mood, because his relation with the singer Stella, who sings the part of Donna Anna, is in crisis. Hoffmann sings the ballad about a hunchbacked dwarf whose eyes remind him of Stella and he reminisces about the time he fell in love with her and how he sees in her his three former lovers. The counsellor Lindorf has found out that Andres, the servant of Stella, is about to bring a letter to Hoffmann. He buys the letter and finds out that Hoffmann is invited to Stella’s dressing room. Hoffmann’s muse puts on the character of his friend Nicklausse and tries to cheer him up.

Act I
Hoffmann falls in love with the doll Olympia, created by the inventor Spalanzani. Coppelius introduces himself as a friend of Spalanzani and gives Hoffmann glasses which enable him to see Olympia even more beautiful. The eyes of the doll have been made by Coppelius who now demands his share from Spalanzani and the latter pays him off with an unsecured cheque. Nicklausse tries to explain to Hoffmann, that Olympia is not alive but Hoffmann dances with Olympia and eventually loses his glasses. Coppelius has found out that the cheque wasn’t covered and in a rage he destroys the doll.

Act II
Crespel reproaches Antonia for not following his orders to stop singing, as her signing reminds him of his wife who was a singer and died of a mysterious illness. Antonia promises not to sing again. Hoffmann arrives and he and Antonia hope to continue their love affair. Hoffmann hides and overhears an encounter between Crespel and Doctor Miracle. Crespel thinks that the Doctor is responsible for the death of his wife. Miracle forces Antonia to sing and in her desperation she calls for her mother. Miracle conjures the image of the dead mother and Antonia sings herself to death. 

Act III
Hoffmann is in Venice where Giulietta introduces him to Schlemil, the owner of the palace where the festivity is held. Nicklausse tries to convince Hoffman that the place is too dangerous for him. Dapertutto wants Hoffmann as a victim and makes Giulietta his accomplice. She will make Hoffmann fall in love with her and take his reflection. Giulietta seduces Hoffmann and promises to leave with him if he can get the key from Schlemil which he keeps a symbol of his power over her. Hoffmann gives Giulietta his reflection and then demands the key from Schlemil, killing him during their argument only to discover that Giulietta has left with Dapertutto.

Epilogue
Hoffman says farewell to the three women. Stella arrives and Lindorf courts her. The muse justifies the existence of Hoffmann only as the creator of his work.

Back Stage Secrets at the Opera
Many Opportunities to Widen your Opera Experience

Do you want to know more about the opera you are about to attend? Do you want to find out some back stage secrets? Do you want to meet the artists after the performance? The Israeli Opera enables you to widen your opera experience with a variety of pre performance and post-performance events. 

Towards Opening
On Saturday morning before the premiere, the creators of the production and several of the soloists gather to discuss the opera, the production, their own career and today’s opera world. This is a unique opportunity to learn as much as possible about the production and meet the director, conductor, designers and some of the participating soloists. Musical excerpts from the opera illustrate the discussion. Towards Opening takes place before some of each season’s productions.

Pre Performance Lecture
One hour before each opera performance there is a 30-minute introductory lecture in the auditorium (in Hebrew). Opera staffers present the opera and the production and enable the audience to get some extra information a short time before attending the performances. Admission is free for ticket holders. 

Opera Talkback
The curtain has just descended on the final scene of the opera. The hour is late. Nut the experience was riveting. This is the time to meet several of the performers. Come to listen and to speak. Ask questions. Meet the artists. A once in a lifetime opportunity to meet the artists who have just excited you on the stage. Opera Talkbacks takes place on the second level of the Opera House foyer and last around 30 minutes. Admission free. Opera Talkback takes place on several evenings in each production. Details can be found at the Israeli opera’s website.