Opera's "Tales of Hoffmann" Sparkles

(first published in The Cincinnati Post July 17, 1992)

When the Cincinnati Opera cut back to four productions in 1987, managing director Gus Stuhlreyer stated that the company must put its "best four feet forward."

Most years, at least one foot has come up lame, but not this year. From last month's gorgeous new production of "Madame Butterfly" to Thursday's blockbuster opening of "The Tales of Hoffmann," the Opera has met its thoroughbred potential.

Energized by James Morris' four villains, the Opera's "Hoffmann" was riveting, easily one of its most memorable evenings in years. For vocal quality and visual appeal, it would be hard to imagine a better cast. Tenor John Fowler captured the complexities of the poet Hoffmann, his essentially light voice seeming to expand as the evening progressed.

There were three strong sopranos as Hoffmann's lost loves. Cecily Nall was adorable and vocally agile as the doll Olympia. As the flamed-haired Giulietta, mezzo-soprano Susan Quittmeyer was an eyeful, gliding in on a gondola from Hell and soaring above the act two septet. Carolann Page's Antonia pulsed with suffering as she struggled between her love for Hoffmann and Dr. Miracle's evil manipulations. Mezzo Kathleen Hegierski's bright voice and nimble bearing made her a delightful Nicklaus se, while tenor Kenn Chester made the most of his comic inning as the deaf servant Franz.

One of the world's reigning basses, Morris filled his four roles with vocal splendor and dramatic force. Menacing as Hoffmann's rival Lindorf, he was comically eccentric as the hunch-backed Coppelius and resembled a looming, lethal dragonfly as Dapertutto, flashing his "Diamond" aria with nonchalance. As Miracle, he was terrifying, wielding both his medicine bottles and his violin with diabolic glee.

Conductor Chris Nance led briskly in the pit, and ensemble with the singers was mostly exemplary. Director James de Blasis' lively staging included a hilarious, strobe-lit chase between Hoffmann and Olympia.

Opera review - THE TALES OF HOFFMANN. by Jacques Offenbach. Cincinnati Opera. Thursday night, Music Hall. James de Blasis, director. Chris Nance, conductor. Cast: John Fowler, James Morris, Cecily Nall, Susan Quittmeyer. Attendance: 3,268. Repeat: Saturday, 8 p.m. Music Hall. Tickets: 721-8222.