We round up the reviews for this production of Offenbach’s opera.
Broadway World: **** “Few will be transfixed by everything they see, but few will fail to be enchanted by something in this epic production (I haven’t even mentioned Alessandro Carletti’s lighting which all but tells the tales on its own). Where you locate the show depends on a subjective reckoning of what assaults your senses over nearly four hours. Underpinned by Offenbach’s super score, I have plenty more in the credit column than on the debit side of the ledger – but I shan’t argue with you if you see it the other way round.”
The Telegraph: **** “Director Damiano Michieletto and his team have given Offenbach’s rambling “Fantasy Opera” a postmodern makeover, with dazzling results.”
The Arts Desk: ***”What can be an affecting act may look pretty at times; Paolo Fantin’s sets, Carla Teti’a costumes and Alessandro Carletti’s lighting always deliver. But the telling of the tale falters at every point.”
The Guardian: **** “There are creepy details galore in Damiano Michieletto’s new production of Offenbach’s opéra fantastique The Tales of Hoffmann. It’s a staging that takes seriously the dark side of ETA Hoffmann’s extraordinarily weird stories – and of Offenbach’s late-career attempt to prove himself beyond operetta. Under Antonello Manacorda, the ROH Orchestra provided grit on demand.”
Bachtrack.com: ***** “Antonello Manacorda chose fairly spacious tempi, which had the advantage of allowing the orchestra to produce plenty of vivid instrumental colour, but use of the 1976 Oeser edition (most current productions use more recent critical editions) and a relative lack of cuts meant that the Prologue and Act 1 felt on the long side at an hour and fifteen minutes. In contrast, the Venietian act felt over barely before it started.”
London Unattached: “With a few minor caveats, this is a terrific production of one of the great operas. There are lots of visual diversions to keep you going through the three-plus hours (including two intervals) and inventive sets and staging to complement the music that is of the highest quality. Go and see it!”
The Standard: **** “Antonello Manacorda secured fine playing from the orchestra, bringing rhythmic vigour where required but also a delicate touch to the various transformations of the famous Barcarolle.”
The Stage: *** “Damiano Michieletto’s erratic staging yields mixed musical and dramatic results.”
iNews: ***** “If Antonello Manacorda’s conducting is all rough-edged vigour, that suits the nature of this sprawling romp of a work. It’s very long, but there are no longueurs.”
British Theatre Guide: “Michieletto, in this co-production with Opera Australia, Opéra National de Lyon and Fondazione Teatro La Fenice di Venezia, has pulled together a wonderful team of creatives, musicians and singers under the baton of conductor Antonello Manacorda. A four, if not five, star production.”
The production continues to run until the 1st December.