The Tales of Hoffmann
From the London Coliseum, a performance of Offenbach's five-act opera in a new production for English National Opera by Graham Vick. The opera concerns three ill-fated loves which are recounted by the German writer ETA Hoffmann. Olympia is a beautiful, lifelike mechanical doll created by Spalanzani and Coppelius; Antonia, Crespel's daughter, is influenced by the evil Dr Miracle; and Giulietta, a Venetian courtesan, is under the power of the magician Dapertutto. Sung in an English translation by John Wells , completed by Graham Vick. Introduced by James Naughtie.
English National Opera Chorus and Orchestra, conductor Paul Daniel
Acts 1 and 2 8.15 Offenbach's Last Years
In the early 1870s, Offenbach's popularity had fallen away, but towards the end of the decade, with the staging of Madame Favart and La Bile du Tambour-Major, he began to find favour with the public again.
Patrick O'Connor traces Offenbach's fortunes during the years leading up to the composer's death. The Tales of Hoffmann was in rehearsal - but not quite finished.
8.35 Act 3
9.30 A Poem for Ireland
Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill reads new works in English and Irish, including Dubh, which was inspired by the fall of Shrebrenice.
9.45 Acts 4 and 5