AllMovie

Jacques Offenbach's 5-act opéra fantastique Tales of Hoffmann (1881) receives an interpretation by the Gran Théâtre de Genève in this 2008 stage production. It stars Marc Laho as Hoffmann, and, as his three ill-fated romantic conquests (all variations of the same woman): Patricia Petibon as Olympia, Rachel Harnisch as Antonia and Maria Riccarda Wesseling as Giulietta. Three different musical ensembles provide accompaniment: the Chœur du Grand Théâtre de Genève (under the direction of chorus master Ching Lien-Wu), the Chœur Orpheus de Sofia (under the direction of chorus master Krum Maximov) and the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande (under the co-direction of concertmaster Bogdan Zvoristeanu and musical director Patrick Davin). Olivier Py did the stage direction and lighting, while Pierre-André Weitz designed the sets and costumes.