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.
