Cast changes on tonight's performance of "Les Contes d'Hoffmann" at the Met

Canadian tenor David Pomeroy will make his Met debut tonight, singing the title role in Offenbach's "Les Contes d'Hoffmann" replacing the Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja who is ill.

Anna Netrebko hits the Popcharts in Austria with her new Album "Anna - The Best of Anna Netrebko"

Anna Netrebko hits the popcharts in Austria with her new album "Anna - The Best of Anna Netrebko" occupying the fifth position of the rank, behind pop stars like Lady Gaga but ahead of others such as Robbie Wllliams. In Austria, has already sold over 10,000 albums, getting the Gold Record.

Press
Anna Netrebko stürmt die Popcharts - oe24.at, 29. Dec 2009 - By Gunther Baumann [German]

Anna Netrebko among the Best of the Decade on Classic Music for The Washington Post

The Washington Post in the article "The Best of the decade: Classical music" signed by Anne Midgette on 27. December 2009, makes a review of what they consider it has been the most remarkable items of the decade on classical music. The soprano Anna Netrebko and tenor Juan Diego Florez are the only opera singers included in the top-10 list of the best of the decade in classical music.

Anna Netrebko, Face of the Decade for Times Online

The article "The decade in opera" signed by Neil Fisher and published on Times Online on 22. December 2009 makes an overview of the evolution experimented on the opera world on this decade which will be over in a few days. The article selects Anna Netrebko as Face of the Decade.

Top-10 Anna Netrebko performances of the decade 2000-2009

We are approaching the end of the first decade of the new century. I have prepared a list of what I could pick as the top-10 Anna Netrebko's performances of the decade. It has not been an easy task. Some of them are a clear choice for me, some others could be at a different position in the rank and there are others left, such as the performances of Manon in Los Angeles, Wien and Berlin, Don Giovanni in London, La Bohème in New York and Munich, which could have been added... but here it is my choice. Let us know what do you think and which would be yours.

1. La Traviata, Salzburger Festspiele, Salzburg, Aug 2005 - Anna Netrebko (Violetta Valéry), Rolando Villazón (Alfredo Germont), Thomas Hampson (Giorgio Germont); Wiener Philharmoniker, Carlo Rizzi
2. La Bohème, Mariinsky Theater, St. Petersburg, 3. Jan 2006 - Anna Netrebko (Mimi), Rolando Villazón (Rodolfo); Chorus and Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theater, Valery Gergiev
3. War and Peace, Metropolitan Opera House, New York, Feb-Mar 2002 - Anna Netrebko (Natasha Rostova), Dmitri Hvorostovsky (Prince Andrei Bolkonsky); Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House, Valery Gergiev
4. Don Giovanni, Salzburger Festspiele, Salzburg, Aug 2002 - Anna Netrebko (Donna Anna), Thomas Hampson (Don Giovanni), Ildebrando d'Arcangelo (Leporello); Wiener Philharmoniker, Nikolaus Harnoncourt
5. La Traviata, Royal Opera House, London, Jan 2008 - Anna Netrebko (Violetta Valery), Jonas Kaufmann (Alfredo Germont), Dmitri Hvorostovsky (Giorgio Germont); Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Maurizio Benini
6. Roméo et Juliette, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien, May 2006 - Anna Netrebko (Juliette), Rolando Villazón (Roméo); Chor und Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Bertrand de Billy
7. L'Elisir d'Amore, Wiener Staatsoper, Wien, Apr 2005 - Anna Netrebko (Adina), Rolando Villazón (Nemorino), Leo Nucci (Belcore), Ildebrando d'Arcangelo (Dulcamara); Chor und Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Alfred Eschwé
8. Das Waldbühnenkonzert, Waldbühne, Berlin 7. Jul 2006 – Plácido Domingo (Tenor), Anna Netrebko (Soprano) und Rolando Villazón (Tenor); Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin, Marco Armiliato
9. Iolanta, Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, Baden-Baden, Jul 2009 - Anna Netrebko (Iolanta), Piotr Beczala (Vaudemont); Chorus and Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theater, Valery Gergiev
10. Liederabend, Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburger Festspiele, Salzburg 17. Aug 2009 – Anna Netrebko (Soprano); Daniel Barenboim (Piano)

Related Posts

Anna Netrebko | Performances Database

Cast changes on tonight's performance of "Les Contes d'Hoffmann" at the Met

Three cast changes have been made for tonight's performance of "Les Contes d'Hoffmann" due to illness. Rachele Gilmore makes her Met debut replacing Kathleen Kim as Olympia. Laura Vlasak Nolan replaces Ekaterina Gubanova as Giulietta. Joel Sorensen replaces Alan Oke singing the four servants.

Happy Birthday, Erwin!!!

We wish a very Happy Birthday to Erwin!

Feliz Cumpleaños, Erwin!

Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Met, New York 19. Dec 2009

On 19. December 2009 it was the fifth performance of the run of the new Met production of Offenbach's "Les Contes d'Hoffmann", starring Joseph Calleja as Hoffmann, Anna Netrebko as Antonia/Stella, Kathleen Kim as Olympia, Ekaterina Gubanova as Giulietta, Alan Held as the four villains and Kate Lindsey as Nicklausse/Muse. James Levine conducted the Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House. The production was by Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher.

The performance on 19. Dec 2009 has been transmitted live to selected movie theaters around the world as part of The Met: Live in HD Series. It has been also live broadcast over the Toll Brothers-Metropolitan Opera International Radio Network.

It will be broadcast on Great Performances at the Met on PBS on Wednesday 24. March 2010.

Les Contes d'Hoffmann
Music by Jacques Offenbach
Libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré, based on stories by E.T.A. Hoffmann

Metropolitan Opera House, New York 19. December 2009

Cast
Hoffmann: Joseph Calleja
Olympia: Kathleen Kim
Antonia: Anna Netrebko
Giulietta: Ekaterina Gubanova
Stella: Anna Netrebko
Lindorf: Alan Held
Coppélius: Alan Held
Dappertutto: Alan Held
Dr. Miracle: Alan Held
Nicklausse: Kate Lindsey
Muse: Kate Lindsey
Andrès: Alan Oke
Cochenille: Alan Oke
Pitichinaccio: Alan Oke
Frantz: Alan Oke
Luther: Dean Peterson
Nathanael: Rodell Rosel
Hermann: Michael Todd Simpson
Spalanzani: Mark Schowalter
Schlemil: Michael Todd Simpson
Crespel: Dean Peterson
Antonia's Mother Voice: Wendy White

Conductor: James Levine
Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House

Production
Production: Bartlett Sher
Set Designer: Michael Yeargan
Costume Designer: Catherine Zuber
Lighting Designer: James F. Ingalls
Choreographer: Dou Dou Huang

About the Opera
Opera Background
Cast and Characters
About the Composer
Story and Music
Synopsis

Upcoming Live Broadcasts
The performances on 23. and 30. Dec 2009 will be live broadcast on Sirius Satellite Radio channel 78 and XM channel 79. Furthermore the performance on 23. Dec 2009 will be live broadcast via RealNetworks internet streaming on the Met website.

Reports
Our friend Howard and his wife Paula attended this performance live at the Met. Howard kindly wrote the followind detailed report for the blog:

My wife Paula and I attended the "Les Contes d'Hoffmann" performance at the MET on 19-December which was also simulcast around the world as a live broadcast. As snow was encroaching on New York City, the crowds came out to see the Tales of Hoffmann.

I totally agree with Irina, that there is truly nothing like a live performance, although this spectacle deserves a second review with the encore HD performance in January. Although there were some vacant seats due the inclement weather it was clear that Netrebko has her devoted following. The gift shop was playing a DVD of her Berlin Concert with Villazon and Domingo and copies were literally flying off the shelves. One woman flew in from Dallas just for this performance. The MET intentionally sanitized this production leaving out the partial nudity (G strings and pasties) reviewed by Anthony Tommasini of the New York Times.

There was a rousing ovation for James Levine who recently returned from back surgery for a ruptured disc. He has the uncanny ability to allow the orchestra to support, but not overpower the singers. Bartlet Sher the director pretty much took a static opera with no dimension of time or change of venue. and made a spectacle of the opera. While there were some incongruities, it pretty much came off rather well and was very well received.

Olympia, the mechanical doll played by Kathleen Kim was adorable, cute and sang with coloratura ease. She danced and walked like a mechanized doll as the voice lifted just like a young adolescent nymph. This was not the role for Netrebko. Although other productions have had wind up keys built into the costume, this rendition was just adorable. Ekaterina Gubanova as Giuletta was stiff and uninspiring. The part of Nicklausse sung by Kate Lindsay was just average, as her voice and expression appear not ready for prime time. Alan Held had a commanding presence as Dr. Miracle and sang with convincing authority.

The clear winners of the afternoon were Joseph Calleja as Hoffmann and Anna Netrebko as Antonia. Calleja displayed confidence, presence and endurance. His voice has an unusual tenderness and affection that is reminiscent of Jussi Bjorling. Calleja had strength, the ability to project and literally sang the entire opera without much rest. His tenderness in recounting his lost loves came across with passion and conviction. This is an enormous role early in his career and it was clear that he was up to the task.

Although Anna Netrebko's role as Antonia in the 2nd act was limited, she ruled the stage with passion, illumination and exquisite acting ability. One only has to think of her Salzburg Traviata for an analogy. Her deep Slavic tone and elegant poise was well suited to this role. She truly commanded the stage and all around her. Her duets with Hoffman were poignant, elegant and dramatic. She had the ability the sing along with his commanding presence. She was dressed in a beautiful nightgown that highlighted her style, grace and sumptuous figure. It is evident that she has lost much weight after her pregnancy, but her voice and timbre have become richer, more colored and exquisite. There were time when you could pick out her voice on top of the chorus. She has not lost her high register at all and there were some hints of exquisite trills in her singing. In short, this role was made for her, a sumptuous, melancholy lover with a great sense of pathos and drama.

At intermission, I met a gentlemen who was at her MET debut in War and Peace. He said that he heard a lone voice above the chorus that transcended all. He said that he knew then that she was very special as only time would demonstrate. He loved her role here, but was not as enthusiastic about her coloratura capabilities in Lucia last year.

The production did have some weaknesses that seemed to detract from the overall message. In the opening of the third act which simulated an orgy or bordello, the well choreographed dancers with exquisitely flexible bodies were on top of men reminiscent of strippers at a bar. Their modern day costumes seemed out of place from the elegant victorian gowns and long coat worn by Hoffmann. My wife found some of this mildly offensive and inappropriate. If this was the sanitized version, I am sure that other performances had similar responses.

Parts of the opera appeared to make fun of the Jews and were mildly anti-Semitic in nature. While not offensive, it is clear that Bartlet Sher chose to highlight these issues in his interpretation. I found it to be mildly amusing and perhaps this reflects some of Offenbach's beliefs.

Some general thoughts are in order. Having attended opera and concerts throughout Europe, I am astounded by the lack of decorum of many participants in the audience. On a Saturday afternoon where tickets are rather expensive, I am shocked by people dressed in dungarees and sweatshirts. My opinion is that the audience should be respectful to others in the audience as well as the performers. People sitting next to me in the opera talked throughout the opera and you could hear the incessant vibration of cell phone and occasional audible ones that were extremely bothersome. As Hoffmann was singing his heart out in the 3rd act, a cell phone went off at the most inopportune time. I realize that times are much more casual than in the past, but a modicum of decorum, appropriate dress and behavior is a rather low bar for such an exquisite art form.

In closing our trip to NYC was well worth the effort. Netrebko was enchanting, ravishing and skilled in her abilities. Our trip home was delayed by snow and ice, but fortunately we had a young female bus driver that was safety conscious, courteous and skilled in her driving abilities. She had to stop 4-5 times to clear ice from the wipers. Fortunately she beat the storm as she traveled North to Boston.

Looking forward to Boheme later this spring as well as Carmen with Garanca.

On-line Press Reports
Channeling Fellini - The Wall Street Journal, 22. Dec 2009 - By Heidi Waleson [English]
Offenbach: Les Contes d'Hoffmann - Musical Criticism, 27. Dec 2009 - By David Abrams [English]
`Los cuentos de Hoffmann' una joya del siglo XXI - El Nuevo Herald, 29. Dec 2009 - By Daniel Fernandez [Spanish]

On-line Blog Reports
Mark Ronan's Theatre Reviews: Les Contes d’Hoffmann, Metropolitan Opera live relay, December 2009
Can Belto: An even better Hoffman
Maldito Candelabro: "Hoffmann" desde el Met: Sensualidad decadente
CNY Café Momus: The Met’s Contes d’Hoffmann: an engaging journey from id to ego to ear

Videoclips
"Elle a fui, la tourterelle", Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Met 19. Dec 2009 - Anna Netrebko


Deborah Voigt interviews Joseph Calleja and Anna Netrebko, Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Met 19. Dec 2009


Finale, Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Met 19. Dec 2009


Related Posts
Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Met, New York 3. December 2009

La Boheme, The Film. Interview to Anna Netrebko and Preview of the Film

La Bohème, The Film, starring Anna Netrebko as Mimi and Rolando Villazón as Rodolfo and directed by Robert Dornhelm, will premiere on Great Performances Series on PBS on 23. December 2009.

Senior Publicist Jitin Hingorani has been chatting with Anna Netrebko about her experience shooting the film, her recent pregnancy, and her ideas on how opera has changed over the years. This is the interview:


Here there is a preview of the film:

Programme of the concert of Anna Netrebko and Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Royal Festival Hall, London 18. Jan 2010

Anna Netrebko and Dmitri Hvorostovsky
Royal Festival Hall, London 18. Jan 2010

Programme
Gioachino Rossini: Overture, William Tell
Richard Wagner: O Du, Mein Holder Abendstern (Song to the evening star), Tannhauser, Act 3 - Dmitri Hvorostovsky
Richard Strauss: Cäcilie, Op.27 No.2 - Anna Netrebko
Hector Berlioz: Rakoczi March, The Damnation of Faust
Charles Gounod: Avant de quitter ces lieux, Faust - Dmitri Hvorostovsky
Charles Gounod: Jewel Song (Ah, je ris), Faust - Anna Netrebko
Ruggiero Leoncavallo: Intermezzo, Pagliacci
Ruggiero Leoncavallo: Nedda! Silvio, a quest'ora (Duet), Pagliacci - Anna Netrebko, Dmitri Hvorostovsky

Interval
Giuseppe Verdi: Overture, La forza del destino
Luigi Arditi: Il Bacio - Anna Netrebko
Giuseppe Verdi: Cortigiani, vil razza dannata, Rigoletto - Dmitri Hvorostovsky
Antonin Dvorak: O silver moon, Rusalka - Anna Netrebko
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Yelensky's Aria, The Queen of Spades - Dmitri Hvorostovsky
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Polonaise, Eugene Onegin
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Final scene, Eugene Onegin - Anna Netrebko, Dmitri Hvorostovsky

Anna Netrebko, soprano
Dmitri Hvorostovsky, baritone
Lawrence Foster, conductor
Philharmonia Orchestra

Related Posts
Anna Netrebko | 2009-2010 Season
Anna Netrebko and Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Royal Festival Hall, London 19. May 2009
The Programme of the Concert of Anna Netrebko and Dmitri Hvorostovsky at the Royal Festival Hall
Anna Netrebko and Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Volkswagenhalle, Braunschweig 16. May 2009
Klassik Open-Air Konzert, Anna Netrebko and Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Königsplatz, München 10. Jul 2009
Concert of Anna Netrebko and Dmitri Hvorostovsky at the Royal Festival Hall, London 18. January 2010

Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Met, New York 7. Dec 2009

On 7. December 2009 it was the second performance of the run of the new Met production of Offenbach's "Les Contes d'Hoffmann", starring Joseph Calleja as Hoffmann, Anna Netrebko as Antonia/Stella, Kathleen Kim as Olympia, Ekaterina Gubanova as Giulietta, Alan Held as the four villains and Kate Lindsey as Nicklausse/Muse. James Levine conducted the Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House. The production was by Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher.

Les Contes d'Hoffmann
Music by Jacques Offenbach
Libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré, based on stories by E.T.A. Hoffmann

Metropolitan Opera House, New York 7. December 2009

Cast
Hoffmann: Joseph Calleja
Olympia: Kathleen Kim
Antonia: Anna Netrebko
Giulietta: Ekaterina Gubanova
Stella: Anna Netrebko
Lindorf: Alan Held
Coppélius: Alan Held
Dappertutto: Alan Held
Dr. Miracle: Alan Held
Nicklausse: Kate Lindsey
Muse: Kate Lindsey
Andrès: Alan Oke
Cochenille: Alan Oke
Pitichinaccio: Alan Oke
Frantz: Alan Oke
Luther: Dean Peterson
Nathanael: Rodell Rosel
Hermann: Michael Todd Simpson
Spalanzani: Mark Schowalter
Schlemil: Michael Todd Simpson
Crespel: Dean Peterson
Antonia's Mother Voice: Wendy White

Conductor: James Levine
Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House

Production
Production: Bartlett Sher
Set Designer: Michael Yeargan
Costume Designer: Catherine Zuber
Lighting Designer: James F. Ingalls
Choreographer: Dou Dou Huang

About the Opera
Opera Background
Cast and Characters
About the Composer
Story and Music
Synopsis

Upcoming Live Broadcasts
The performances on 11., 19., 23. and 30. Dec 2009 will be live broadcast on Sirius Satellite Radio channel 78 and XM channel 79. The performance on 19. Dec 2009 will be transmitted live to selected movie theaters around the world as part of The Met: Live in HD Series. The performance on 19. Dec 2009 will be also live broadcast over the Toll Brothers-Metropolitan Opera International Radio Network and the one on 23. Dec 2009 will be live broadcast via RealNetworks internet streaming on the Met website.

Press Reports
John Yohalem wrote on Opera Today,

Netrebko sang the most powerful Antonia since Sutherland, and in Sher’s vision (which is not Offenbach’s), her grand operatic posturing worked very well.

On-line Press Reports
Les Contes d’Hoffmann at the MET - Opera Today - By John Yohalem

Related Posts
Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Met, New York 3. December 2009

Early Performances - Anna Netrebko in concert in Petrozavodsk on 16. Jan 1999 sings aria and duet from Rigoletto

Here there is a videoclip from a tv recording of an early concert performance of Anna Netrebko with the Symphony Orchestra of the Karelian State Philharmonic Society conducted by Mikhail Kukushkin at the Main Hall of the Karelian Philharmonic Society in Petrozavodsk on 16. Jan 1999.

Anna Netrebko sings "Una voce poco fa" from Rossini's Il Barbiere di Siviglia, "Gualtier Maldè... Caro nome che il mio cor" from the 1. Act, 2. Scene of Verdi's Rigoletto, and the duet "No, vecchio, t'inganni... Sì, vendetta" from the 2. Act of Verdi's Rigoletto with Victor Chernomortsev. Anna takes the E-flat at the end of the duet.



Rigoletto, 1. Act, 2. Scene, "Gualtier Maldè... Caro nome che il mio cor", Anna Netrebko. Videoclip uploaded to Youtube by altistka.


Rigoletto, 2. Act, "No, vecchio, t'inganni... Sì, vendetta", Anna Netrebko, Victor Chernomortsev. Videoclip uploaded to Youtube by altistka.


Related Posts
Archives - Anna Netrebko in Moscow in 1998

Anna Netrebko at the annual benefit dinner for the White Nights Foundation

The annual benefit dinner for the White Nights Foundation took place at the Four Seasons restaurant last night, on 9. Dec 2009. The Mariinsky’s artistic director, Valery Gergiev, flew in to attend the dinner, flying out the next morning.

The evening included performances by Russian musicians, like opera singers Anna Netrebko and Ekaterina Gubanova, each of whom took solos and then together sang a selection from Offenbach's “Les Contes d'Hoffmann”, the opera that they are currently singing at the Metropolitan Opera House.

Press
At Mariinsky Theatre Benefit, Sandy Weill Discusses Arts Charity in a Down Economy - Speakeasy - By Steven Kurutz, 10. Dec 2009 [English]

Deutsche Grammophon announces the release of the CD "In the Still of Night"

Deutsche Grammophon announces the release of the CD "In the Still of Night" by Anna Netrebko and Daniel Barenboim at the piano. The album was recorded live at the Grosses Festspielhaus on 17. Aug 2009, during the Salzburger Festspiele. The track list has been already published on the Deutsche Grammophon website and the album contains the full program performed at the Liederabend in Salzburg, the first part devoted to Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, the second part devoted to Piotr I. Tchaikovsky and two encores by Antonín Dvorák and Richard Strauss. A limited hardcover edition will be also released.

The album will be internationally released on 26. Mar 2010. On 29. Mar 2010 Anna Netrebko and Daniel Barenboim will give a recital, with the same program of the recital given at the Salzburger Festpiele, at the Philharmonie, Berlin as part of the Festtage 2010.

N. RIMSKY-KORSAKOV
In the Still of Night
Anna Netrebko · Daniel Barenboim
CD |D|D|D| 000289 477 8589 7 |G|H|
Limited hardcover edition:
CD |D|D|D| 000289 477 8867 6 |G|H|
+ Tchaikovsky: Lieder · Songs
Int. Release 26. Mar 2010
1 CD

Anna Netrebko, Soprano
Daniel Barenboim, Piano

Recorded Live at the Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg
Monday 17. August 2009 20:30

1. PART
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakow • Worüber in der Stille der Nacht op. 40 Nr. 3 | O chem v tishi nochey op. 40 Nr. 3 | Of what I dream in the quiet night op. 40 Nr. 3
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakow • Verzeih! Erinnere dich nicht an die kummervollen Tage op. 27 Nr. 4 | Prosti! Ne pomni dney naden’ya op. 27 Nr. 4 | Forgive! Remember not these tearful days op. 27 Nr. 4
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakow • Es ist nicht der Wind, der von der Höhe weht op. 43 Nr. 2 | Ne veter, veya s vïsotï op. 43 Nr. 2 | Not the Wind, blowing from the hights op. 43 Nr. 2
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakow • Klingender ist das Lied der Lerche op. 43 Nr. 1 | Zvonche zhavoronka pen’ye op. 43 Nr. 1 | The lark sings louder op. 43 Nr. 1
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakow • Auf Grusiniens Hügeln op. 3 Nr. 4 | Na kholmakh Gruzii op. 3 Nr. 4 | On the hills of Georgia op. 3 Nr. 4
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakow • Im Reich der Rose und des Weins op. 8 Nr. 5 | V tsarstvo rozï i vina op. 8 Nr. 5 | In the kingdom of roses and wine op. 8 Nr. 5
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakow • Suleikas Lied op. 26 Nr. 4 | Pesnya Zyuleyki op. 26 Nr. 4 | Zuleika’s song op. 26 Nr. 4
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakow • Die Nachtigall wurde Sklavin der Rose op. 2 Nr. 2 | Plenivshis’ rozoy, solovey (Vostochnïy romans) op. 2 Nr. 2 | Enslaved by the rose, the nightingale op. 2 Nr. 2
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakow • Der Wolken Luftgebirg löst sich im Winde sacht op. 42 Nr. 3 | Redeyet oblakov letuchaya gryada op. 42 Nr. 3 | The clouds begin to scatter op. 42 Nr. 3
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakow • Die Nymphe op. 56 Nr. 1 | Nimfa op. 56 Nr. 1 | The nymph op. 56 Nr. 1
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakow • Ein Sommernachtstraum op. 56 Nr. 2 | Son v letnyuyu noch’ op. 56 Nr. 2 | Summer night’s dream op. 56 Nr. 2

2. PART
Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky • Sag mir, wovon im dunklen Grün op. 57 Nr. 1 | Skazhi, o chom v teni vetvey op. 57 Nr. 1 | Tell me, what in the shade of the branches op. 57 Nr. 1
Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky • So schnell vergessen (1870) | Zabït tak skoro (1870) | To forget so soon (1870)
Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky • Trunkene Nächte op. 60 Nr. 6 | Nochy bezumnïye op. 60 Nr. 6 | Frenzied night op. 60 Nr. 6
Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky • Warum? op. 6 Nr. 5 | Otchevo? op. 6 Nr. 5 | Why? op. 6 Nr. 5
Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky • Serenade, O Kind, ich singe dir op. 63 Nr. 6 | Serenada op. 63 Nr. 6 | Serenade op. 63 Nr. 6
Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky • Wiegenlied op. 16 Nr. 1 | Kolïbel’naya pesnya op. 16 Nr. 1 | Cradle song op. 16 Nr. 1
Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky • War ich nicht ein Gräslein im Felde op. 47 Nr. 7 | Ya li v pole da ne travushka bïla op. 47 Nr. 7 | Was I not a little blade of grass? op. 47 Nr. 7
Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky • In trüben Tagen op. 73 Nr. 5 | Sred mrachnïkh dnei op. 73 Nr. 5 | Mid sombre days op. 73 Nr. 5
Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky • Herrschet der Tag op. 47 Nr. 6 | Den li tsarit? op. 47 Nr. 6 | Does the day reign op. 47 Nr. 6

ENCORES
Antonín Dvořák • Zigeunermelodien op. 55 Nr. 4 (Als die alte Mutter mich noch lehrte singen) | Ciganske melodie op. 55 Nr. 4 (Kdyz mne stará matka zpívat, zpívat ucívala) | Gypsy Songs op. 55 Nr. 4 (When my old mother taught me to sing)
Richard Strauss • Cäcilie op. 27 Nr. 2

Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Met, New York 3. December 2009

Today on 3. December 2009 it has been the season premiere of the new Met production of Offenbach's "Les Contes d'Hoffmann", starring Joseph Calleja as Hoffmann, Anna Netrebko as Antonia/Stella, Kathleen Kim as Olympia, Ekaterina Gubanova as Giulietta, Alan Held as the four villains and Kate Lindsey as Nicklausse/Muse. James Levine conducted the Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House. The production was by Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher.

Joseph Calleja has made his role debut as Hoffmann. As it was announced in exclusive on this blog on 26. May 2009, Joseph Calleja replaced Rolando Villazón who cancelled his appearance when he announced in April that he needed surgery to remove a cyst on his larynx.

Kathleen Kim has made also her role debut as Olympia, the mechanical doll.

Anna Netrebko made her role debut as Antonia at the Mariinsky Theater, St. Petersburg on 11. November 2000 in a performance conducted by Gianandrea Noseda and directed by Marta Domingo. The critic of the St. Petersburg Times wrote that "her captivating performance was the genuine highlight of the production. Her tormented Antonia, suffering over the paths she had to choose, was pierced with despair."

Ekaterina Gubanova has made her role debut as Giulietta. She made her Met debut in 2007 as Hélène Bezukhova in War and Peace.

Kate Lindsey has made also her role debut as Nicklausse/The Muse, replacing Elina Garanca who decided to withdraw and to sing the title role in the upcoming performances of Carmen at the Met, when Angela Gheorghiu withdraw from those performances.

Alan Held made his debut as the four villains at the Met in 1993. He has replaced René Pape who decided not to add the four villains to his repertoire.

A number of first impressions about the performance, collected during the live broadcast, can be read at the comments sections of a post published on Parterre Box.

Les Contes d'Hoffmann
Music by Jacques Offenbach
Libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré, based on stories by E.T.A. Hoffmann

Season Premiere
Metropolitan Opera House, New York 3. December 2009

Cast
Hoffmann: Joseph Calleja
Olympia: Kathleen Kim
Antonia: Anna Netrebko
Giulietta: Ekaterina Gubanova
Stella: Anna Netrebko
Lindorf: Alan Held
Coppélius: Alan Held
Dappertutto: Alan Held
Dr. Miracle: Alan Held
Nicklausse: Kate Lindsey
Muse: Kate Lindsey
Andrès: Alan Oke
Cochenille: Alan Oke
Pitichinaccio: Alan Oke
Frantz: Alan Oke
Luther: Dean Peterson
Nathanael: Rodell Rosel
Hermann: Michael Todd Simpson
Spalanzani: Mark Schowalter
Schlemil: Michael Todd Simpson
Crespel: Dean Peterson
Antonia's Mother Voice: Wendy White

Conductor: James Levine
Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House

Production
Production: Bartlett Sher
Set Designer: Michael Yeargan
Costume Designer: Catherine Zuber
Lighting Designer: James F. Ingalls
Choreographer: Dou Dou Huang

About the Opera
Opera Background
Cast and Characters
About the Composer
Story and Music
Synopsis

Live Broadcasts
The premiere on 3. Dec 2009 has been live broadcast on Sirius Satellite Radio channel 78 and XM channel 79 and via RealNetworks internet streaming on the Met website.

The performances on 11., 19., 23. and 30. Dec 2009 will be live broadcast on Sirius Satellite Radio channel 78 and XM channel 79. The performance on 19. Dec 2009 will be transmitted live to selected movie theaters around the world as part of The Met: Live in HD Series. The performance on 19. Dec 2009 will be also live broadcast over the Toll Brothers-Metropolitan Opera International Radio Network and the one on 23. Dec 2009 will be live broadcast via RealNetworks internet streaming on the Met website.

Press Reports
Anthony Tommasini, talking about Anna Netrebko, wrote on The New York Times,

[...] she was vocally lustrous, charismatic and wrenching as Antonia [...]. She also made a captivating and tart Stella [...]

The review published on Parterre Box says,

[...] Netrebko was rapturous as Antonia, bathing us in her sweet sound, and showing both detail and presence in all parts of her range.

Ronni Reich wrote on the nj.com,

Here, full focus was on soprano Anna Netrebko, and rightfully so. Virtually unmatched in her luscious tone, Netrebko sang as if each phrase were truly her last, surprisingly full-throated, a little wild, and absolutely spellbinding.

On-line Press Reports
An Unamplified Voice: Hoffmann (after), 3. Dec 2009 [English]
Parterre Box: der musensohn, 4. Dec 2009 [English]
My Favorite Intermissions: Jar of Eyeballs, 4. Dec 2009 [English]
Can Belto: Hoffmann opening night: Success!, 4. Dec 2009 [English]
The Old Stories, Updated With G-Strings - The New York Times - By Anthony Tommasini, 4. Dec 2009 [English]
No shortage of tales in this `Hoffmann' at the Met - San Francisco Chronicle - By Ronald Blum, AP, 4. Dec 2009 [English]
Les Contes d'Hoffmann - Theatermania - By David Finkle, 5. Dec 2009 [English]
'Rousing ovation' for Calleja's Hoffmann at New York Met - Times of Malta - 6. Dec 2009 [English]
Good muse at the Met: Netrebko and clever staging lift Offenbach opera - nj.com - By Ronni Reich, 7. Dec 2009 [English]

Audioclips
Les Contes d'Hoffmann, 2. Act - Antonia, Romance: "Elle a fui, la tourterelle!", Antonia. Uploaded to Youtube by RickBanner.


Les Contes d'Hoffmann, 2. Act - Antonia, Duet: "C'est une chanson d'amour", Hoffmann, Antonia. Uploaded to Youtube by RickBanner.


Les Contes d'Hoffmann, 2. Act - Antonia, Duet: "Ne plus chanter! hélas!", Hoffmann Antonia. Uploaded to Youtube by RickBanner.


Les Contes d'Hoffmann, 2. Act - Antonia, Trio Final: "Tu ne chanteras plus?", Antonia, Antonia's Mother Voice, Miracle. Uploaded to Youtube by RickBanner.


Les Contes d'Hoffmann, 2. Act - Antonia, Trio Final, Antonia, Antonia's Mother Voice, Miracle. Uploaded to Youtube by RickBanner.


Les Contes d'Hoffmann, 2. Act - Antonia, Final Scene: "Mon père! Écoutez! c'est ma mère!", Antonia. Uploaded to Youtube by RickBanner.


Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Epilogue. Uploaded to Youtube by RickBanner.


Videoclips
In this videoclip uploaded to Youtube by wnycradio, Stage Director Bartlett Sher talks about his interpretation of the opera


Photos
A wonderful collection of photos by Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera is available at the Archives of the Metopera Database.

Here you can get some additional photos, at the curtains calls and at the stage door, kindly provided by the author.

Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Met 3. Dec 2009. Final curtains call. Photo: Raul

Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Met 3. Dec 2009. Final curtains call. Photo: Raul

Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Met 3. Dec 2009. Final curtains call. Photo: Raul

Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Met 3. Dec 2009. Bartlett Sher and Kate Lindsey at the stage door. Photo: Raul

Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Met 3. Dec 2009. Alan Held at the stage door. Photo: Raul

Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Met 3. Dec 2009. Kathleen Kim at the stage door. Photo: Raul

Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Met 3. Dec 2009. Ekaterina Gubanova at the stage door. Photo: Raul

Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Met 3. Dec 2009. Joseph Calleja at the stage door. Photo: Raul

Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Met 3. Dec 2009. Anna Netrebko at the stage door. Photo: Raul

Related Press Articles
Swan Song of Offenbach, the Outsider - The New York Times - By Vivien Schweitzer, 25. November 2009 [English]
"We Belong": Previewing the Met's New Production of Hoffman - PlaybillArts - By William Berger, 26 November 2009 [English]
For tenor from Malta, a star-making role? - Examiner - By Mike Silverman, AP, 27. November 2009 [English]
Met Opera's LES CONTES D'HOFFMANN Begins 12/3, Conducted By James Levine and Directed by Bartlett Sher - BroadwayWorld.com, 1. Dec 2009 [English]
Culture Zohn: Les Contes d'Hoffmann (Tales of Hoffmann), or, a Four-Way Gets Complicated - The Huffington Post - By Patricia Zohn, 3. Dec 2009 [English]

The Royal Opera announces a tour to Japan in September 2010

The Royal Opera announces that they will embark on a tour to Japan in September 2010, performing both in Tokyo and Yokohama. The Royal Opera will take Richard Eyre's production of Verdi's "La Traviata" and this season's new production of Massenet's "Manon" by Laurent Pelly. Music Director Antonio Pappano will conduct eight opera performances.

The cast for "La Traviata" features Angela Gheorghiu as Violetta, James Valenti as Alfredo Germont and Simon Keenlyside as Giorgio Germont. Four performances are scheduled, one in Yokohama on 12. September 2010 and three in Tokyo on 16., 19. and 22. Sep 2010.

The cast for "Manon" features Anna Netrebko in the title role and Matthew Polenzani as Le Chevalier des Grieux. Four performances are scheduled on 11., 14., 17. and 20. September 2010, all of them in Tokyo.

Related posts
Anna Netrebko | 2010-2011 Season

Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Final Dress Rehearsal, Met, New York 30. November 2009

The final dress rehearsal of the new Met production of Offenbach's "Les Contes d'Hoffmann" starring Joseph Calleja as Hoffmann, Anna Netrebko as Antonia/Stella, Kathleen Kim as Olympia, Ekaterina Gubanova as Giulietta, Alan Held as the Four Villains and Kate Lindsey as Nicklausse/Muse, took place yesterday, on 30. November 2009. James Levine conducted the Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House. The production was by Bartlett Sher.

Three thousand free tickets to the final dress rehearsal were made available through on online drawing on the Met’s website.

The staging, costumes and sets of this new Bartlett Sher's production were gorgeous. Joseph Calleja, who had been fighting a sinus/pharynx infection on the last days, was not feeling well and he sang Hoffmann only in the first act, being replaced by David Pomeroy.

The official season premiere of "Les Contes d'Hoffmann" will take place on 3. December 2009 and it will be broadcast live on Sirius Satellite Radio channel 78 and XM channel 79, as well as on the Met free live audio stream. The performance on 19. December 2009 will be broadcast live to select movie theaters around the world within the MET Live in HD Performances Series

Les Contes d'Hoffmann
Music by Jacques Offenbach
Libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré, based on stories by E.T.A. Hoffmann

Final Dress Rehearsal
Metropolitan Opera House, New York 30. November 2009

Cast
Hoffmann: Joseph Calleja, Prologue, Act I/David Pomeroy, Acts II, III, Epilogue
Olympia: Kathleen Kim
Antonia: Anna Netrebko
Giulietta: Ekaterina Gubanova
Stella: Anna Netrebko
Lindorf: Alan Held
Coppélius: Alan Held
Dappertutto: Alan Held
Dr. Miracle: Alan Held
Nicklausse: Kate Lindsey
Muse: Kate Lindsey
Andrès: Alan Oke
Cochenille: Alan Oke
Pitichinaccio: Alan Oke
Frantz: Alan Oke
Luther: Dean Peterson
Nathanael: Rodell Rosel
Hermann: Michael Todd Simpson
Spalanzani: Mark Schowalter
Schlemil: Michael Todd Simpson
Crespel: Dean Peterson
Antonia's Mother Voice: Wendy White

Conductor: James Levine
Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House

Production
Production: Bartlett Sher
Set Designer: Michael Yeargan
Costume Designer: Catherine Zuber
Lighting Designer: James F. Ingalls
Choreographer: Dou Dou Huang

About the Opera
Opera Background
Cast and Characters
About the Composer
Story and Music
Synopsis

Blog Reports
What I read and Watched: Les Contes d'Hoffmann at the Met
A Liberal's Libretto: The Dreams of Hoffmann
Parterre Box: Gualtier tells "Tales"

Related Press Articles
Swan Song of Offenbach, the Outsider - The New York Times - By Vivien Schweitzer, 25. November 2009 [English]
"We Belong": Previewing the Met's New Production of Hoffman - PlaybillArts - By William Berger, 26 November 2009 [English]
For tenor from Malta, a star-making role? - Examiner - By Mike Silverman, AP, 27. November 2009 [English]
Met Opera's LES CONTES D'HOFFMANN Begins 12/3, Conducted By James Levine and Directed by Bartlett Sher - BroadwayWorld.com, 1. Dec 2009 [English]
Culture Zohn: Les Contes d'Hoffmann (Tales of Hoffmann), or, a Four-Way Gets Complicated - The Huffington Post - By Patricia Zohn, 3. Dec 2009 [English]

Videoclips
In this videoclip uploaded to Youtube by wnycradio, Stage Director Bartlett Sher talks about his interpretation of the opera