Offenbach

Les Contes d'Hoffmann

Gedda, Eda-Pierre, Mesplé, Sarocca, Krause, Sénéchal; Perrisson
Paris, 1976

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Les Contes d’Hoffmann

This performance of Les Contes d’Hoffmann employs the Opéra-Comique version with spoken dialogue, incorporating several notable departures from the standard edition. In the title role, Nicolai Gedda sings with unforced ease, dramatic conviction, and stylistic polish. Christiane Eda-Pierre lends her warm-toned soprano to the role of Antonia, igniting the stage in the act’s final moments. Mady Mesplé delivers pinpoint accuracy and glittering high notes as Olympia, while Tom Krause invests the four villains with both charisma and finely honed vocal authority.

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4.3 Based on 3 reviews
5 ★ 1
4 ★ 2
3 ★ 0
2 ★ 0
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Richard C.✓ Top Reviewer

United Kingdom

Overall rating

Well worth a hearing...

I agree with most of what David R. writes, except that I find Krause's Dappertutto far too lumpy and uneven in the diamond aria; otherwise excellent, especially as Dr. Miracle. Good to hear the excellent Joseph Rouleau (a stalwart member of the Covent Garden Company for over 20 years) as an authoritative Crespel. I do NOT like a baritone Nicklausse; the character tends to fade into the background!Does anyone know who sings SPALANZANI and NICKLAUSSE?
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David R.✓ Top Reviewer

United States

Overall rating

Excellent Performance in Excellent Sound!

This recording is taken from the revival of the Patrice Chereau production first seen a year earlier. This production predates the discovery of a trove of extra music by conductor/musicologist Antonio De Almeida, not to mention the discoveries and changes made by Fritz Oeser, Michael Kaye, and Jean-Christophe Keck. For whatever reason, the order of the acts is changed to Giulietta-Olympia-Antonia. Instead of the recitatives, dialogue is used and a quieter ending for the Epilogue is employed, based on the "Écoutons!" chorus first heard in the Prologue. Nicklausse is sung, according to French tradition at the time, by a baritone; he pretty much disappears by the Antonia act (a mezzo joins Giulietta for the Barcarolle).I wonder what Gedda thought of all these changes. He had sung the title role on many occasions and made the famous EMI studio recording under Cluytens. He still sings very well, unperturbed by the role's high tessitura. Mesple is once again a brilliant Olympia, Eda-Pierre a lovely Antonia with thrilling high notes. Sarroca actually makes something of Giulietta despite the fact that, as usual, she has little to sing. Krause is terrific as the Villains though it sounds like another singer sings Lindorf's aria (why?). The supporting cast includes the witty Michel Senechal as most of the servants (I'm not sure that it is he as Andres) and Joseph Rouleau as Crespel. Perisson is an alert conductor who leads a well-paced performance. The sound is excellent and pitched correctly.Because of the somewhat odd edition, this recording isn't for someone just learning the opera, but those who already know and love the score will find a very enjoyable performance.
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Simon B.✓ Top Reviewer

France

Overall rating

Official broadcast

29 november 1975 is the correct date.
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