It's time for the Lyric Opera of Chicago series on WRTI! We begin with Jacques Offenbach's The Tales of Hoffman, sung in French, with a fabulous cast. Join us on Saturday, May 12th from 1 to 5 pm.
If ever a man was unlucky at love, it’s Hoffmann - the wild-eyed poet who travels the world in search of the ideal woman and ends up thwarted by villains at every turn. First, he’s smitten by Olympia - but discovers she’s nothing more than a mechanical doll. Then, he falls for Antonia, a fragile songstress who’ll die if she sings - and regrettably for him, she does both! Finally he’s seduced by Giulietta - but the treacherous courtesan casts him aside.
Impossibly beautiful music (including the famous Barcarolle) combined with flamboyant theatricality - that’s why Offenbach’s extravaganza is so popular!
http://youtu.be/0u0M4CMq7uI
Cast:
Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume
Hoffmann: Matthew Polenzani
Four Villains: James Morris
Olympia: Anna Christy
Antonia: Erin Wall
Giulietta: Alyson Cambridge
Nicklausse: Emily Fons
Four Servants: Rodell Rosel
Spalanzani: David Cangelosi
Crespel: Christian Van Horn
Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus
Chorus Master: Michael Black