Jacques Offenbach, Les Contes d’Hoffmann in Barcelona

About the Event

Experience the vocal art of Natalie Dessay in Les Contes d’Hoffmann by Jacques Offenbach at the Gran Teatre del Liceu, in the heart of Barcelona.

Anyone who remembers Natalie Dessay in the roles of Ophélie or Manon can understand what it means to see and hear her taking up the challenge of singing all three leading female roles in this demanding opera by Offenbach. A veritable tour de force.

Les contes d’Hoffmann (Paris, 1881) reflects Offenbach's desire to go beyond his successful operettas and enter the world of grand opera. It is a highly inspired work in which fantasy, emotion and the supernatural blend smoothly with satire and the grotesque. Hoffmann, the narrator and protagonist, tells his drinking companions three tales, each of which illustrates a facet of his stormy romance with the singer Stella. The tales are about Olympia, a mechanical doll, Antonia, a singer who sings herself to death, and Giulietta, a courtesan who steals people's reflections.


Cast:
Natalie Dessay, Vittorio Grigolo, Laurent Naouri, Michele Losier, Eglise Gutiérrez, Ismael Jordi, Greer Grimsley, Gemma Coma‐Alabert and others.

Symphony Orchestra and Chorus of the Gran Teatre del Liceu

Conductor: Stéphane Denève
Stage direction: Laurent Pelly
Scenography: Chantal Thomas
Costumes: Laurent Pelly
Lighting: Joël Adam
Dramaturgy: Agathe Melinand
Video: Charles Carcopino

New co‐production:
Gran Teatre del Liceu / San Francisco Opera




In some areas of the Gran Teatre del Liceu it is possible to be seated with a partially obstructed view of the stage. The Gran Teatre del Liceu recommends Zone 2 for the finest and completely unobstructed view of the performance. The stage is not visable from seats starting in row 2 of Zone 8.  A monitor is provided for following the performance in this section. Only available for operas.