Offenbach’s last opera: a first for Juan Diego Florèz

Les Contes d’Hoffmann is the masterpiece of Jacques Offenbach who died before seeing his greatest dream come true: to be recognized as a talented and profound opera composer.

Inspired by short stories by Ernest Theodor and Amadeus Hoffmann (The Sandman, The Cremona Violin and The Lost Reflection), this unique fantasy opera features the dramatic, improbable and unrequited passionate love affair of the poet Hoffmann, an endearing and zany character, in search of the absolute feminine ideal. Three passions, three female figures: Olympia, a doll, an automaton more real than life, Antonia, singer with a tragic end and Giulietta, a courtesan for whom Hoffmann loses his soul.

Here the Monte-Carlo Opera hosts world-renowned tenor Juan Diego Florèz, who for the first time interprets Les Contes d’Hoffmann. For this long-awaited role, he is accompanied by the singer Olga Peretyatko, who combines all three female roles. This production directed by Jean-Louis Grinda, also Director of the Opera, is set to music by the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir led by Quebec chef Jacques Lacombe.