Suche
Mein Konto
Hoffmann's Tales: A magical evening at the opera in Zurich!
Experience Jacques Offenbach's fascinating opera "The Tales of Hoffmann" on July 11, 2025 at the Zurich Opera House, under the musical direction of Antonino Fogliani.
Hoffmann's Tales: A magical evening at the opera in Zurich!
On July 11, 2025, the Zurich Opera House will delight audiences with Jacques Offenbach's masterpiece “The Tales of Hoffmann” ( theaterkompass.de ). The fantastic opera, which is performed in French and accompanied by German and English surtitles, promises an exciting evening of around three hours and 30 minutes. Director Andreas Homoki has taken a fresh approach to this production to better showcase the opera's complex structure, which consists of a prologue, three central stories and an epilogue.
“The Tales of Hoffmann” is based on the stories of the famous German writer E.T.A. Hoffmann, who enjoyed great popularity in Paris in the 19th century. The libretto, written by Jules Barbier, draws on Hoffmann's own texts and lets the protagonist Hoffmann fail in three different love stories. Each of these stories reflects stereotypical 19th century images of women, resulting in an intense play about love and loss. Hoffmann is portrayed as a tragic character whose struggles and obstacles are impressively expressed in the opera. The event promises to be an unforgettable experience, especially due to the diverse world of images and the musical diversity of Offenbach ( operanhaus.ch ).
Cast and musical direction
The ensemble includes well-known artists such as Saimir Pirgu in the title role of Hoffmann. Marina Viotti shines as La Muse / Nicklausse and Katrina Galka, Adriana Gonzalez and Lauren Fagan give the three women physical form. Antonino Fogliani will take over the musical direction, while the Philharmonia Zurich will provide the musical accompaniment. The production is brought to life by the set design and costumes by Wolfgang Gussmann and Susana Mendoza, and lighting design by Franck Evin adds a magical touch.
The legacy of Offenbach
Offenbach's work has a special significance and is known for its operetta-like character and the clever mixture of comedy and tragedy. The unique structure of the opera, which is considered fragmentary, leaves plenty of room for individual interpretations, which Homoki also took up in his production. Many productions failed to clearly shape the narrative, which encouraged the director to find a coherent solution. The fourth act, which includes the Giulietta act, often remains incomplete, allowing different performances to vary greatly ( wikipedia.org ).
This new production not only shows Homoki's creative ambitions, but also allows younger viewers and opera lovers to take part in a complex and emotional journey. The final chord is particularly emphasized by the independence of the character Stella, who is portrayed as a woman on an equal footing with Hoffmann. The opera “The Tales of Hoffmann” will offer an exciting examination of the themes of love, loss and artistic creation and will captivate every audience member.