The high point of the performance came with Act 2 (often the case since it contains the opera’s best music). Dramatically, his Hoffmann was of a darker cast than usual, less in synch with the comedy than the character’s more tragic and depressive side, which suits the downbeat production.Īnna Christy was a clear audience hit as Hoffmann’s first inamorata, the mechanical doll, Olympia. Gliding across the floor, and assaying a variety of intricate mechanized movements, Christy was genuinely funny and vocally delightful, her high soprano vaulting through the doll’s stratospheric coloratura.Įrin Wall as Antonia in 'the Tales of Hoffmann.' Photo: Dan Rest. His voice is ideal for this Gallic repertoire, and Polenzani sang throughout the long evening with fine French diction and clarion top notes.

The Ryan Opera Center alum possesses a vibrant and penetrating tenor, elegant of tone with reserves of power. In his role debut, Matthew Polenzani proved an eminently inspired Hoffmann. While Nicholas Joel’s production proved something of a mixed blessing, the large cast was superb across the board, making for a vocally resplendent performance that made up for the evening’s fitful directorial lapses. The Lyric, oddly, elected to go with the old Choudens edition rather than Michael Kaye’s more scrupulous critical edition.

Offenbach died before completing his opera, and the score exists in a bewildering variety of options with some music composed by other hands. Hoffmann, Offenbach’s musical setting tells of the dissipated title poet and his sequential stories of his love for three women-by turns, broadly comic, tragic and bittersweet.

On Saturday, Anthony Freud officially took the reins as the company’s new general director, succeeding William Mason.Īdapted from the stories of E.T.A. This opening night was significant for other reasons as well, besides the usual pre-performance fete and post-performance gala ball, attended by well-heeled first-nighters in their finery. The Lyric Opera of Chicago opened its 57th season Saturday night with The Tales of Hoffmann, the company’s first production of Offenbach’s Opera fantastique in 29 years. Matthew Polenzani in the title role and Anna Christy as Olympia in the Lyric Opera's 'The Tales of Hoffmann.' Photo: Dan Rest

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