A great live performance of Jacques Offenbach's "Les contes d'Hoffmann" sung in German, featuring a starry cast, orchestra and conductor! The first name of the fine tenor who sings Hoffmann is Waldemar, not Waldeman... Highly recommended!

It's always interesting to hear what another culture will do with an opera everyone knows, how they will mold it to their tastes. This performance is no exception. The translation is pretty much the same one used back at the beginning of the last century and the edition used here is primarily the familiar Choudens. Krips cuts the big septet from the Giulietta act, leaving that episode without a musical climax. The acts are performed in the customary order of that time (Olympia-Giulietta-Antonia). Offenbach's original intention of having one woman sing all four heroines is also honored here.Silja does herself justice although other singers have performed these roles with more vocal distinction. Her Olympia is very doll-like, her Giulietta self-involved, her Antonia frail and obsessed. She does show some vocal fatigue, just making it to the C# at the end of of the trio - but she wouldn't be the only singer who had that problem. Kmentt sings extremely well and fully justifies the Vienna State Opera's confidence in him. With his cranky tone Wiener isn't a pleasure to listen to as the villains, but he acts them well enough. Stolze performs the Servants with distinction though he takes Franz's ditty unaccountably slowly. The supporting cast is made up of great VSO regulars. Krips leads a cogent, enjoyable performance. The sound is very good.Hoffmann lovers should have this as should any admirers of the singers.