My reaction to the HD TV live broadcast of Offenbach’s The Tales of Hoffmann from the Metropolitan Opera House yesterday is rather mixed. I already am aware that some of you loved it, whereas others did not. With a group as diverse as ours, such disparity is not too surprising.
In any event, on the positive side, the performances by Anna Netrebko (Antonia), Kim (Olympia), and Lindsey (Nicklausse), as well as the Orchestra, were excellent. On the other hand, Calleja (Hoffmann) was very disappointing, although at times he sang beautifully. Held (Lindorf, etc.) was insufficiently sinister. The other principal singers were only OK.
Overall I found this particular production boring. In attempting to explain why, I must point primarily to the integration of what in other performances was a usually slow Epilogue + Act 1 into a single Act. It seemed to drag on forever, and I didn’t care for the tavern scene at all. Furthermore, the scene in Spalanzani’s studio would have been a complete disaster except for the exquisitely performed Olympia. I also was bored by the courtesan in Venice. Act 2 (Crespel’s Home) was glorious because the singing was so spectacular. However, there was little need for any staging. So, I guess for me the primary culprit was Bart Sher, the producer/director.
5:15 pm
Before the Saturday HD performance, I watched the DVD of the 1951 version with Moira Shearer, so my reactions mainly contrast the two interpretations. The Pressman and Powell, 1951, version was to me superior in the portrayal of Octavia. I preferred Shearer’s looks and balletic style as a lovely porcelain doll, to Kim’s windup Raggedy Ann style. It didn’t fit the story as well, although Kim’s singing was fine. I preferred the HD version of Antonia, with voices and acting of both Antonia and Hoffmann. The courtesan scene with Giulietta was awful in the HD version, pointlessly tasteless and distracting, and not such great singing or acting. The HD version was better with Nicklausse/muse who was much more plausible and whose purpose was more clear than in the 1951 version. I actually preferred the villains in the HD version to those of the 1951 version. The villains in the HD were less sinister, but their fungibility was more to my liking. I seem to be coming down on the side of simplified staging in the operas we have seen so far, which surprises me.
9:55 am
I saw tales of Hoffmann last night. I did not get to either of the DVDs and never saw the opera before.
Ilove it . It may be my favorite so far. The only negative I agree with is re the tasteless and distracting courtesan scene.
I disagree with Richard’s comment about Hoffmann. I thought his voice was one of the best tenors we have seen this season.
Maybe, if I had seen other productions I would feel differently .