Opera Australia: Tales of Hoffman

Reviewed by Nicole Bassil

I am sure I was among millions saddened by the recent death of Luciano Pavarotti. His legendary voice will resound in the ears of opera lovers for decades. I have never been lucky enough to hear Pavarotti live, but I have been treated to Opera Australia’s Rosario La Spina many times. He has always reminded me of Pavarotti, not for his rotund figure, but for his intense control of melody and the passion with which he delivers his arias. He has been criticized in a variety of reviews for being slightly off the note and still in his developmental stage as an artist but I just don’t see it. He mesmerizes me every time he opens his mouth and his title role in Offenbach’s The Tales of Hoffmann was no exception.

Hoffmann is French poet, enamored with the beautiful opera star, Stella. While he is waiting for her after the show, Hoffmann regales the other fans with stories of his three great loves: Olympia, who turns out to be a lifeless doll, Giulietta, a courtesan who betrays him, and Antonia, a young woman who is killed by the power of her voice. Unlucky in love, Hoffmann is even further scorned when Stella is tricked into leaving him for the diabolical Lindorf. However, throughout his trials, Hoffmann’s Muse (disguised as his companion Nicklausse) has always been there to support him. She now hopes to corral Hoffmann’s talent all for herself.

The sets in this production are absolutely breathtaking. With the flick of a wall and a few clever trap doors we are transported to a heavenly bower, the foyer of an opera house, an inventor’s workshop, a Venetian canal and an austere mansion. Everything about the sets is opulent with incredibly close attention to detail. Giulietta is particularly striking in a long red gown, flanked by the black and gold coils of her expansive gondola.

I really enjoyed the interspersion of French singing and English dialogue (with a French accent of course!) It created a lovely fusion of opera and drama. Pamela Helen Stephen as Nicklausse was the perfect accompaniment to La Spina and the two of them drove the plot with elegance and precision. My partner also appreciated the veneration of beer and wine as decadent sources of inspiration for the budding artist. I’m not so sure about that one.

The second half did tend to drag a little but while some might view Nicklausse’s devotion to Hoffmann as pathetic and clingy, I found her closing pleas for his attention quite heartfelt and possessing. Overall, I found this opera enchanting with a good amount of variety in the interspersing storylines. In addition, conductor, Richard Hickox, was unable to perform his duties and I must applaud first-timer Ollivier-Philippe Cuneo for his stellar stand-in.

Directed by Stuart Maunder, The Tales of Hoffmann plays at the Opera Theatre, Sydney Opera House until 15 October 2007. See Opera Australia’s website for other venues/dates.

The Good: Rosario La Spina, amazing sets and absorbing passion.

The Bad: A tacit commendation of alcoholism (maybe that should be in ‘good’).

The Vibe: A highly entertaining and varied opera with the great Opera Australia voices proudly on display.