The Tales of Hoffman is an opera based around the love life of the well known poet Hoffmann. It starts off in a tavern during the intermission of an opera that Hoffmann is attending himself. In this tavern, Hoffmann (Aaron Mor) tells the stories of his first three loves to his fellow drinkers. Throughout the stories his friend Nicklausse (Marina Tricarico) accompanies him, attempting to keep him out of trouble. He first falls in love with a wind up doll named Olympia (Jane Coons). By putting on a pair of magical classes, he is tricked into believing she is a live human and when she sings her mechanical song, he is overjoyed. His second love is Antonia (Ariel Heller-Sabet), a repressed singer due her father’s unwillingness to hear her voice. She isn’t allowed to sing because her father believes this is what truly killed her mother. Upon singing, a curse is put upon her by Dr. Miracle (AJ Malakoff) and she dies. Hoffmann’s final love is with a temptress Giulietta (Karen Notovitz) who through seducing him to sing with her steals Hoffmann’s reflection in a magical mirror. Overall, the opera wasn’t the best I’ve seen. Some of the stories, such as the Giulietta’s, were a bit confusing. The music wasn’t something you’d remember after the curtains fell. The voices and talent were amazing, nonetheless.
The Tales of Hoffmann
Great Neck South High School
March 25, 2011
Marina B. Nebro
