ArtZine Singapore

Les Contes d’Hoffmann (The Tales of Hoffmann) works like an autobiography of Hoffmann’s love life. Watch as the tragic lives of his lovers unfold in a three act opera performed by the Singapore Lyric Opera.

Fell in love with a robot? Check.

Hoffmann’s first love is Olympia, a robot. Whenever Hoffmann slips on a pair of magic glasses, Olympia is seen as a woman. She hits the stratospheric high notes while dancing with Hoffmann. All false pretenses fail when his glasses break, leaving the poor man devastated as he learns he was in love with a robot.

* Look out for: Olympia’s famous arias, Les Oiseaux Dans La Charmille (The Doll’s Song) in Act 1. Watch Sumi Jo below.

Rebound? Check.

Hoffmann finds Antonia – his ex. Her father hid Antonia from Hoffman because he forbids her to sing whereas Hoffmann encourages her to keep singing. Hoffmann sneaks into the house to reunite with Antonia. Hoffmann slowly learns that Antonia may die if she sings too much. He then convinces her to give up her musical aspirations. A mysterious doctor convinces her to keep singing to her death and Hoffmann is blamed for her death.

Evil girlfriend? Check.

Hoffmann falls in love (and bad luck) with the courtesan, Giulietta. She seduces him so that she will be rewarded with a diamond. She convinces him to give his reflection to her then leaves him.  Giulietta downs a vial of poison by mistake and drops dead.

3 times and you’re out

Poor Hoffmann suffers 3 unrequited loves but the audience is promised 3 great acts from the Singapore Lyric Opera, starring Singapore’s Melvin Tan, Nancy Yuen, William Lin and Anna Koor.

A Singapore premiere, this full-length opera production is sung in French with Chinese and English subtitles.

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Les Contes d’Hoffmann
13, 14, 16 and 17 March
8pm, Esplanade Theatre
Ticket Prices: $130, $110, $88, $68, $58, $48, $38, $25, $20.
Tickets available from SISTIC.

** Look out for our review of Les Contes d’Hoffman! [COMING SOON]