Met Opera Live tells story of man facing eternal choice between love and art

The German-French composer Jacque Offenbach’s opera “Les Contes D’Hoffmann” is the opener for the live streaming season of the Metropolitan Opera Live in HD at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish. 

The Whitefish Theatre Co. And the Whitefish Performing Arts Center present this fantastical opera on Oct. 5 at 11 a.m. The approximate run time is 3 hours and 45 minutes, including two 30-minute intermissions. Tickets are sold only at the door which will open at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students, paid by cash or check only.   

Sung in French, “Les Contes D’Hoffmann” tells the unhappy story of poet Hoffmann and his failed love affairs. The opera makes use of three of Hoffmann's supernatural tales where he recounts his love for three women whom he cannot have, thwarted by a nemesis, and ultimately left humiliated and devastated. This opéra fantastique ultimately tells the story of a man facing the eternal choice between love and art.  

In the Prologue, a Muse appears and reveals to the audience her purpose to draw Hoffmann's attention to herself, and to make him abjure all other loves, so he can be devoted fully to her: poetry. She takes the appearance of Hoffmann's closest friend, Niklausse. In the meantime, Hoffmann is in love with Stella, the star singer of the opera. Lindorf, a rich counselor, also loves her. Entering a tavern, Hoffmann sings a ballad that allows his mind to wander to recollections of a beautiful woman. When Hoffmann recognizes Lindorf as his rival, he begins to tell the stories of his three past loves.  

In Act I, Hoffmann's first love is Olympia, a doll created by the scientist Spalanzani. Coppélius, Olympia's co-maker and this act's evil incarnation, sells Hoffmann magic glasses which make Olympia appear as a real woman. Hoffmann is tricked into believing his affections are returned and begins to dance with Olympia. Spinning out of control, Hoffmann falls on the ground and his glasses break. At the same time, Coppélius appears and tears Olympia apart, in retaliation for having been tricked out of his just dues by Spalanzani. In the middle of the crowd laughing at him, Hoffmann realizes that he was in love with a machine.  

In Act II, Hoffmann has been separated from his second love, Antonia, by her father, Crespel. Antonia has inherited her deceased mother's voice, but her father forbids her to sing because too much singing may actually kill her. After a long search, Hoffman reunites with Antonia. Crespel returns to find the arrival of Dr. Miracle, who had treated Crespel’s wife the day she died. The doctor claims he can cure Antonia but Crespel accuses him of killing his wife and forces him out. Hoffmann, overhearing their conversation of Antonia’s mysterious illness, asks her to give up singing and she reluctantly agrees. The moment Hoffman leaves Dr. Miracle reappears, urging Antonia to sing. Having some mystic powers, he conjures up the voice of her mother that claims she wants her daughter to relive the glory of her own fame. As Antonia can’t resist, she begins to sing to a feverish point where she collapses. As Hoffmann and Crespel return, Dr. Miracle coldly pronounces Antonia dead.  

In Act III, Hoffmann falls in love with the courtesan Giulietta and thinks his affections are returned. But Giulietta is seducing Hoffmann under the orders of Captain Dapertutto, who promised to give her a diamond if she steals Hoffmann's reflection from a mirror. Schlemil, a previous victim of Giulietta and Dapertutto, wants to save Hoffmann from his foolish passion for the courtesan by killing him. He challenges the poet to a duel, but is killed. Meanwhile, Hoffmann meets Giulietta and cannot resist her: he gives her his reflection, only to be abandoned by the courtesan, to Dapertutto's great pleasure. Hoffmann tells the evil man that his friend Niklause will come and save him. As Dapertutto prepares a poison for the friend, Giulietta drinks it by mistake and drops dead in the arms of the poet.  

In the Epilogue, finally having finished his tales, all Hoffmann wants is to forget, explaining that each story describes a different aspect of one woman: Stella. Arriving in the tavern after her performance, Stella finds Hoffmann drunk and leaves with Lindorf. The Muse sheds the form of Nicklausse and resumes her true appearance, telling the poet to find consolation in his creative genius.  

An ensemble of leading lights takes the stage for Offenbach’s fantastical final work, headlined by tenor Benjamin Bernheim in the title role of the tormented poet. Hoffmann’s trio of lovers are sung by soprano Erin Morley as the mechanical doll Olympia, soprano Pretty Yende as the plagued diva Antonia, and mezzo-soprano Clémentine Margaine as the Venetian seductress Giulietta. Marco Armiliato conducts Bartlett Sher’s evocative production, which also features bass-baritone Christian Van Horn as the Four Villains and mezzo-soprano Vasilisa Berzhanskaya in an important company debut as Hoffmann’s friend Nicklausse. The opera is hosted by Ben Bliss who will offer exclusive behind-the-scenes content and cast interviews.  

Food and beverage will be available for purchase during the performance. Visit  www.whitefishtheatreco.org to read about the entire Met Opera Live in HD season or call 406-862-5371 for more information.