Les Contes d'Hoffmann
The poet Hoffmann is in a tavern waiting for his former love, Stella, to finish singing in a performance of Don Giovanni. While he waits, he tells a group of students the fantastic tales of his doomed love affairs. Tonight's performance is introduced live from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, by Christopher Cook.
Royal Opera House Chorus and Orchestra, conductor Richard Hickox
Prologue and Act 1
7.45 Interval: Opera Box Christopher Cook is joined by opera historian Sarah Lenton to discuss the colourful background to Les
Contes d 'Hoffman. With contributions from conductor Richard Hickox and others.
8.15 Act 2
8.50 Interval: Mesmerism and Hypnosis Alyn Shipton explores the vogue for stage presentations of hypnotism during the Victorian era, alluded to in Hoffmann's tales, with the authors Daniel Pick and Alison Winter , and with the assistance of hypnotist Paul McKenna.
9.15 Act 3 and Epilogue