The Royal Opera House is to present a revival of the late film and stage director John Schlesinger’s production of Jacques Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffmann in November. 

Schlesinger’s production originally premiered back in 1980 and sets Offenbach’s fantastical tales in the late 19th century – at the time when Offenbach was writing the opera.

The Royal Opera’s revival will be conducted by Evelino Pido and will star Vittorio Grigòlo and Leonardo Capalbo in the title role. The cast will also include Thomas Hampson, Sofia Fomina, Christine Rice, Sonya Yoncheva and Kate Lindsey.

The great storyteller Hoffmann is losing himself to drink. His rival in love, Councillor Lindorf, claims that Hoffmann knows nothing of the heart, and so goads Hoffmann into telling the tales of his three great loves – each destroyed by a villain who bears an uncanny resemblance to Lindorf…

Exploring the life of the poet Hoffmann through the dream-like stories of his doomed love for three women, the opera will feature William Dudley’s set designs and Maria Bjornson’s costumes to help bring to life Hoffmann’s imaginative world.

Considered to be the most enduring ‘serious’ opera from a composer who is best known for his operettas. Les Contes d’Hoffmann wasn’t completed before the composer’s death and has led to a number of alternative versions.

Les Contes D’Hoffmann will play at the Royal Opera House from the 7th November unti the 3rd December. To book tickets visit: Ticketmaster.co.uk, Discount Theatre.com, Theatre Tickets Direct.co.uk, Love Theatre.com, Theatre People.com and UK Tickets.co.uk.