Seeking to exorcise the failure of his current love affair, the poet Hoffmann tells the tales of his three past loves - the doll-like Olympia, the high-class courtesan Giulietta, and the ambitious but delicate Antonia - and recalls how each was thwarted by the evil influence of his rival. In this production by the distinguished film director, John Schlesinger, with spectacular designs by Maria Bjornson and William Dudley, Offenbach's nightmare world is brought to life. The all-star cast is headed by Placido Domingo as Hoffmann: his three loves are Ileana Cotrubas, Anges Baltsa and Luciana Serra and the manifestations of his rival are sung by Geraint Evans, Robert Lloyd, Siegmund Nimsgern and Nicola Ghiuselev. The score, which includes such favourites as the "Barcarolle" and the "Doll's Song", is conducted by Georges Pretre.
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Cast
15 people
Plácido Domingo
Hoffmann
Known for
Beverly Hills Chihuahua
The Book of Life
Agnes Baltsa
Giulietta
Also in
Carmen
Mozart: Così Fan Tutte (Zurich Opera House)
Robert Lloyd
Lindorf
Also in
Parsifal
Duke Bluebeard's Castle
Ileana Cotrubas
Antonia
Also in
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Rigoletto
Luciana Serra
Olympia
Also in
The Metropolitan Opera: The Magic Flute
Rigoletto
Geraint Evans
Coppélius
Also in
A Christmas Carol
Falstaff
Nicolai Ghiuselev
Miracle
Also in
Prince Igor
Faust
Gwynne Howell
Crespel
Also in
Ariodante
Tosca
Claire Powell
Nicklaus/Muse
Also in
The Yeomen of the Guard
By Jupiter!
Siegmund Nimsgern
Dapertutto
Also in
The Emperor of Atlantis
Nabucco
Philip Gelling
Schlemil
No other roles listed
Francis Egerton
Pittichinaccio
Also in
The Gondoliers
La fanciulla del West
John Schlesinger Director · Brian Large Director Jules Barbier Writer
First release December 1, 1981 · Produced in United Kingdom
Production
United Kingdom
Produced in
Languages
Original language
French
Spoken on screen
French
Release dates
United Kingdom · December 1, 1981
Theatrical · Live performance
No release date listed for United States.
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Some details come from TheTVDB.