Les Contes d’Hoffmann (Tales of Hoffmann) by Jacques Offenbach
Fri. Nov. 4 8pm: Trinity-On-Main – New Britain – tickets >>
Sun. Nov. 6 3pm: MHS Arts Center – Middletown – tickets >>
Sun. Nov. 13 5pm: Garde Garde – New London – tickets >>
Sat. Nov. 19 8pm: Waterbury Palace – Waterbury – tickets >>
Cast:
Michael Wade Lee (Hoffmann)
Chris Lucier (Hoffmann)
Laurentiu Rotaru (Lindorf, Copelius, Dapertuto, Miracle)
Galina Ivannikova (Nicklaus)
Sherrie Seiden (Olympia)
Jurate Svedaite (Giulietta, Antonia)
Steven Fredericks (Crespel)
Michael Imbimbo (Spalanzani, Nathaniel)
Alexis Benson (Andreas/Spalanzani)
Fred Frabotta (Franz,Pitichinaccio)
Matthew Gamble (Luther,Schlemil)
Aleks Romano (Mothers voice)
Chorus Preparation/Pianist – Nathaniel Baker
Staged by Chris Ryan and Jayson Ferrandino
Set Design and Costumes by Katie Jurkiewicz
Original set by Phoenix Theater Comp.
Light design by Peter Smith
Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra
Conductor/CLO Artistic Director – Adrian Sylveen
The Tales of Hoffmann (Les Contes d’Hoffmann) is based on the real life German poet, E.T.A. Hoffmann, and makes him a character in some of his own, fanciful stories. Offenbach’s drama follows the same scheme, placing the title character into three tales of failed love. The result is one of the grandest and most expressive of all 19th-century French operas — achieving a combination of emotional depth and musical brilliance that only the finest opera composers ever equaled. CLO’s stellar cast includes internationally acclaimed tenor, Michael Wade Lee, as Hoffmann— Tamino and the Duke in previous CLO productions; crowd pleaser, Romanian bass-baritone Laurentiu Rotaru as the Four Villians; Russian mezzo-soprano Galina Ivannikova as Hoffmann’s sidekick, Nicklause and sometimes Muse; and soprano Jurate Svedaite as two of his three tragic loves. Making their debut with CLO is the exciting directing team of Chris Ryan and Jayson Ferrandino. Finally, CLO Artistic Director, maestro Adrian Sylveen will lead the outstanding Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra (CVCO).