Offenbach: Les Contes d'Hoffmann / Araiza, Ramey, Lind, Norman, Studer, von Otter; Tate [Highlights]

Amazon.com
On paper, this Hoffmann looks close to ideal, though all sorts of problems take it out of the running for all but the most dedicated Hoffmann scholars. It's the first recording of the Michael Kaye edition, based on recently discovered sketches of the unfinished opera. However, the cast often sounds like it's learning it in the studio. Just hearing all these voices in the same cast might be a treat. But one can't listen very long without encountering Francisco Araiza in the title role, who sounds like he's had a few too many lessons with a bad voice teacher: His sound is pinched and eccentric, quite unlike his vocal production before or since. Even the normally stylish conductor Jeffrey Tate seems at a loss to liven things up. --David Patrick Stearns

Offenbach: Les Contes d'Hoffmann / Araiza, Ramey, Lind, Norman, Studer, von Otter; Tate [Highlights],Jacques Offenbach,Jeffrey Tate,Francisco Araiza,Samuel Ramey,Dresden Staatskapelle,Leipzig Radio Symphony Chorus,Anne-Sofie von Otter,Eva Lind,Jessye Norman,Ricardo Cassinelli,Georges Gautier,Cheryl Studer,Felicity Palmer,Polygram Records,Classical,Classical Music,French Romantic Opera,Opera,Opera / Operetta / Oratorio

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Average customer rating: The best Hoffmann Very good, just short of great.

Offenbach - Les contes d'Hoffmann / Araiza, Ramey, Lind, Studer, J. Norman, von Otter, Staatskapelle Dresden, Tate Jacques Offenbach , Staatskapelle Dresden , Jeffrey Tate , Samuel Ramey , Anne Sofie von Otter , Eva Lind , Cheryl Studer , Jessye Norman , Ricardo Cassinelli , and Francisco Araiza Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Offenbach | Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Cassinelli, Ricardo | ( C ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Studer, Cheryl | ( S ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Araiza, Francisco | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Norman, Jessye | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Otter, Anne Sophie von | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B000004109 Release Date: 1992-09-15

Tracks:

1. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Prelude - Act One: No. 1 Introduction: Glou, glou glou! Je suis la biere!
2. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act One: La verite, dit-on, sortait d'un puits (Muse)
3. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act One: Allons! mes enfants (Lindorf)
4. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act One: No. 2 Couplets de Lindorf: Voyons: 'Pour Hoffmann'! (Lindorf)
5. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act One: No. 3, 4A: Deux heurs devant moi (Lindorf)
6. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act One: No. 4B: Vive Dieu! mes amis, la belle creature! (Lindorf)
7. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act One: No. 4C: Bonjour amis (Nicklausse - Hoffmann)
8. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act One: No. 5 Chanson (la legende de Kleinzach): Il etait une fois a la cour d'Eisenach (Hoffmann)
9. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act One: No. 6 Finale: Peuh! cette biere est detestable! (Hoffmann - Lindorf - Nicklausse)
10. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act One: Duo: Et par ou votre diablerie (Hoffmann - Lindorf - Nicklausse)
11. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act One: Je vous dis, moi qu'un malheur me menace! (Hoffmann - Lindorf - Nicklausse)
12. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Two: Entrance
13. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Two: La, charmante! (Hoffmann)
14. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Two: No. 7: Allons! courage et confiance (Hoffmann - Nicklausse)
15. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Two: Une poupee aux yeus d'email (Hoffmann - Nicklausse)
16. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Two: No. 8: C'est moi, Coppelius (Coppelius - Nicklausse - Hoffmann)
17. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Two: Trio: Je me nomme Coppelius (Coppelius - Nicklausse - Hoffmann)
18. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Two: Serviteur (Coppelius - Nicklausse - Hoffmann)
19. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Two: Tout est pret! ( Coppelius)
20. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act TwoNo. 9: Non, aucun hote vraiment (Nicklausse - Hoffmann - Olympia)
21. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Two: Couplets d'Olympia: Les oiseaux dans la charmille (Olympia)
22. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Two: Ah! mon ami, quel accent! (Nicklausse - Hoffmann - Olympia)

Tracks:

1. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Two: No. 10 Scene Romance: Ils se sont eloignes, enfin!
2. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Two: No. 11: Tu me fuis?
3. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Two: No. 12 Finale: Voici les valseurs!
4. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Three: No. 13 Romance: Entrance -Elle a fui la tourterelle
5. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Three: Malheureuse enfant!
6. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Three: No. 14 Couplets: Jour et nuit
7. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Three: Voila ce brave Frantz
8. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Three: No.15 Romance: Vois sous l'archet fremissant
9. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Three: Scene et No. 16 Duo: Ah! tu doutes de tout!
10. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Three: Pourtant, o man fiancee
11. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Three: C'est une chanson d'amour
12. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Three: Qu'as to donc?... Tu souffres?
13. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Three: No. 17 Trio: Pour conjurer le danger
14. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Three: No. 16bis Melodrame: Ne plus chanter!
15. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Three: No. 17a: Tu ne chanteras plus?
16. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Three: No. 17a Trio: Ta mere? Oses-tu l'invoquer
17. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Three: (17b)Final: Mon enfant! Ma fille!

Tracks:

1. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Four: No. 18 (Barcarolle): Entr'acte
2. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Four: Messieurs, silence!
3. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Four: (Barcarolle): Belle nuit, o nuit d'amour
4. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Four: (No. 18b) Recit et Couplets bachiquesI: Et moi, ce n'est pas la ce qui m'enchante
5. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Four: Scene, Musique de scene et No. 18bis Sortie: A merveille, madame!
6. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Four: No. 19 Chanson: Tourne, tourne, miroir
7. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Five: Charmante!
8. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Four: No. 20: Giulietta, palsembleu!
9. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Four: L'amour lui dit: la belle
10. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Four: Tiens, mes cartes!
11. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Four: Morbleu!
12. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Four: No. 21: Il a ma cle
13. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Four: No. 22: Ton ami dit vrai
14. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Four: Romance: O Dieu, de quelle ivresse
15. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act FourJusque la, cependant: Jusque la, cependant
16. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Four: Scene, Melodrame, Musique de scene et No. 22bis: La voila, donc
17. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Five: No. 23: Folie!
18. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Five: No. 24, No. 25A (Melodrame): Voila, mes amis
19. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Five: No. 25B: Pour le coeur du Phryne
20. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act Five: No. 26 Final Apotheose: Arriere, tous

Customer Reviews:

The best Hoffmann.......2005-10-23

To keep it short...I own several different versions of Hoffmann. This one is simply the best. Great production, orchestration and vocals of course. Every currently available version of this opera has its flaws. I'm still at a loss to find one here though. Absolutely stunning. As an added bonus, you don't have to hear Domingo sing in it. (Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

I suppose everyone who loves Hoffmann will have an opinion as to whether the women should be sung by the same soprano. As they each represent a different aspect of Hoffmann's love, I prefer this perspective.

"Laisse eclore ton ame aux rayons de l'amour!"

Very good, just short of great........2000-10-26

Since Offenbach died before completing his masterpiece, The Tales of Hoffmann, many different versions of this outstanding opera have been recorded. This recording is different in many ways from others we are used to hearing, yet it is probably closer to what Offenbach had in mind than other more familiar versions. But musicological questions aside, the important question is: "How good is a given performance?" This one is very good. I was very pleasantly surprised by Araiza. He gives a superb performance as Hoffmann. I wonder why we don't hear him more often. There's no surprise with Ramey who is excellent -- as one would expect -- in the bass roles. The female roles are sung well, although I prefer to hear Hoffmann's various loves sung by the same soprano, which is not the case in this recording. Until the version with Beverly Sills singing all of Hoffmann's loves is available on CD, this is my favorite of the versions of this magnificent opera which are currently available.

Average customer rating:

Offenbach: Les Contes d'Hoffmann / Araiza, Ramey, Lind, Norman, Studer, von Otter; Tate [Highlights] Jacques Offenbach , Jeffrey Tate , Francisco Araiza , Samuel Ramey , Dresden Staatskapelle , Leipzig Radio Symphony Chorus , Anne-Sofie von Otter , Eva Lind , Jessye Norman , Ricardo Cassinelli , Georges Gautier , Cheryl Studer , and Felicity Palmer Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Offenbach | Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Cassinelli, Ricardo | ( C ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Studer, Cheryl | ( S ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Araiza, Francisco | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Norman, Jessye | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Otter, Anne Sophie von | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B000004171 Release Date: 1994-01-18

Tracks:

1. Act 1:Prld; Glou, glou, glou! Je suis la biere! - Broadcast Chor of Leipzig/Jorg-Peter Weigle
2. Act 1: La verite, dit-on, sortait d'un puits - Anne Sofie von Otter/Broadcast Chor of Leipzig/Jorg-Peter Weigle
3. Act 1: Voyons; 'Pour hoffmann'! - Samuel Ramey
4. Act 1: Drig, drig, drig, maitre Luther - Samuel Ramey/Rolf Tomaszewski/Broadcast Chor of Leipzig/Jorg-Peter Weigle
5. Act 1: Il Etait une fais a la cour d'Eisenach (La legende de Kleinzach) - Francisco Araiza/Broadcast Chor of Leipzig/Jorg-Peter Weigle/Peter Menzel
6. Act 2: Entr'acte - State SO of Dresden/Jeffrey Tate
7. Act 2: Allons! courage et confidance! - Francisco Araiza/Anne Sofie von Otter
8. Act 2: Une poupee aux yeux d'email - Francisco Araiza/Anne Sofie von Otter
9. Act 2: Je me nomme Coppelius - Samuel Ramey/Francisco Araiza/Anne Sofie von Otter
10. Act 2: Non, aucun hote vraiment - Broadcast Chor of Leipzig/Weigle/Cassinelli/Otter/Araiza/Gauntier/Lind
11. Act 2: Les oiseax dans la charmille - Eva Lind/Broadcast Chor of Leipzig/Jorg-Peter Weigle
12. Act 3: Entracte-Romance; Elle a fui la tourterelle - Jessye Norman
13. Act 3: Jour et nuit, je me mets en quatre - Georges Gautier
14. Act 3: C'est une chanson d'amour - Francisco Araiza/Jessye Norman
15. Act 3: Ta mere? Oses-tu l'invoquer? - Felicity Palmer/Broadcast Chor of Leipzig/Weigle
16. Act 4: Entr' acte (Barcarolle)-Messirurs, silence!-Belle nuit, o nuit d'amour - Francisco/Otter/Studer/Broadcast Chor of Leipzig/Weigle
17. Act 4: Amis, l'amour tendre et reveur - Studer/Otter/Broadcast Chor of Leipzig/Weigle/Araiza
18. Act 4: Ton ami dit vrai - Cheryl Studer/Francisco Araiza
19. Act 4: O Dieu, di quelle ivresse - Francisco Araiza
20. Act 4: Jusque la, cependant - Cheryl Studer/Francisco Araiza

Amazon.com

On paper, this Hoffmann looks close to ideal, though all sorts of problems take it out of the running for all but the most dedicated Hoffmann scholars. It's the first recording of the Michael Kaye edition, based on recently discovered sketches of the unfinished opera. However, the cast often sounds like it's learning it in the studio. Just hearing all these voices in the same cast might be a treat. But one can't listen very long without encountering Francisco Araiza in the title role, who sounds like he's had a few too many lessons with a bad voice teacher: His sound is pinched and eccentric, quite unlike his vocal production before or since. Even the normally stylish conductor Jeffrey Tate seems at a loss to liven things up. --David Patrick Stearns

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