The Story of the Opera
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Tales of Hoffmann The Story of the Opera |
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The Muse of Poetry is distraught because the talented poet, Hoffmann, is dissipating his talents with wine and women. She vows to reconnect him to his creative gift. She is opposed at every turn by the force of self destructiveness and despair that incarnates itself in various characters: Lindorf, Coppélius, Dr Miracle and, finally, Dappertutto. To better guide Hoffmann, The Muse turns herself into his friend Nicklausse.
The scene shifts to a cozy tavern situated next to an opera house that is performing Don Giovanni. Lindorf, a city counsellor, enters with Andrès, the diva Stella’s servant. For a small sum, Andrès gives Lindorf a letter and a key intended for Hoffmann. Lindorf begins to fantasize his triumph over Hoffmann. During an intermission in the opera next door, a rowdy group of students rush into the tavern to carouse and drink. Hoffmann enters with his friend Nicklausse. Hoffmann fantasizes about his lost love, Stella. When he is asked to tell a story, he snaps out of his daydream and regales the group with the story of Kleinzack. Part way through the song he unconsciously begins describing Stella, rather than the hideous dwarf. Interrupted by one of the students, Hoffmann recovers and completes the story.
Dissatisfied by the beer, the entire group complains until Luther appears with a bowl of punch. The students instantly regain their enthusiasm. Hoffmann finds no reason to celebrate, because he notices his rival, Lindorf, watching him from a corner. Hoffmann complains that whenever Lindorf is around his luck turns bad.
He announces that he will tell three stories. Each story, he explains, is about one of the three loves of his life. Luther announces that the second act of the opera is about to commence. Everyone stays to listen to Hoffmann.
Act I: Home of the Inventor Spalanzani
Spalanzani and his partner Coppélius have invented a beautiful life-sized mechanical doll—Olympia. Spalanzani has invited some guests to witness the unveiling of this grand achievement. He hopes to make a fortune from this invention. Hoffmann, a student of Spalanzani, arrives early and thinking the doll is his daughter, he immediately falls in love. Hoping to bring him back to reality, Nicklausse teases him, but Hoffmann is undeterred.
Coppélius appears to collect his share of any profits Spalanzani may make off Olympia. He sells Hoffmann a pair of magic glasses that make Olympia look real. To rid himself of Coppélius, Spalanzani makes a deal with his partner to buy the doll for 500 ducats. The deal complete, Spalanzani quickly arranges for his guests to view Olympia. She makes her debut wowing the crowd by singing a prodigious piece of music. Dinner is announced by the servant Cochenille, and the guests are ushered into another room, leaving Hoffmann alone with the doll. Infatuated, Hoffmann begins to court her, and while doing so, he accidentally pushes one of Olympia’s buttons. The mechanical doll says, "Yes." Encouraged by her reply he moves closer, and activates another button that causes her to run away. He chases after her. Coppélius returns. He has discovered that the check from Spalanzani is bad and begins to plot his revenge.
Having finished dinner, the guests return and are amused by Hoffmann and Olympia as they dance a waltz. They dance faster and faster. Oympia’s frantic dancing causes her to go out of control. Hoffman falls to the floor in a faint. Coppélius, still angry at his partner, grabs the doll and breaks it into pieces. Hoffmann is heartbroken when he realizes that his love was only a doll.
Act II: A Private Home in Munich
Antonia, an amateur singer but daughter of a famous one, is singing of her lost love—Hoffmann. Although she has not seen him for a year, she dreams of the time when they will be together again. Her father, Councillor Crespel, pleads with her to keep the promise she made not to sing. She agrees. Consumption took her mother, and Crespel now sees signs of it in his daughter. He blames her weakened condition on Hoffmann. Crespel orders his servant Frantz, to keep all visitors out. The servant’s comic replies result from his being nearly deaf.
Hoffmann sneaks into the house, and after a comic encounter with Frantz, begins singing some music he finds lying open on the piano. Antonia comes into the room and adds her voice to what becomes an impassioned duet. They are soon interrupted by Crespel. The old man’s ire at Hoffmann shifts quickly when he hears Dr. Miracle at the door. He believes that Miracle killed his wife and is now killing his daughter. Unable to keep him out, Miracle examines Antonia while Hoffmann observes in hiding. It becomes clear that the Doctor is trying to harm the young girl as his magic forces her to sing and become weaker.
Left alone, Hoffmann urges Antonia to renounce singing for the sake of her health. She agrees. After Hoffmann leaves, Miracle returns and conjures up an image of Antonia’s dead mother beckoning her to sing. Antonia sings, higher and higher. Crespel enters, and Hoffmann rushes back as Antonia drops to the ground and dies.
Act III: A Luxurious Venetian Mansion
Guests of the courtesan, Giulietta, enjoy the pleasures of her party. She and Nicklausse sing of love. Hoffmann, responds with a lively song deriding love. Sensing trouble ahead, Nicklausse warns Hoffmann that he will take him away at the first sign that he is falling in love with Giulietta. Hoffmann scoffs at Nicklausse’s fear.
The evil Dappertutto has been watching Hoffmann and emerges when the young poet goes off to gamble. He displays a large diamond with which he convinces Giulietta to steal Hoffmann’s reflection. Giulietta unleashes her charms on Hoffmann who is easy prey. Her lover, Schlémil, denounces them. Hoffmann is horrified to discover that he has lost his reflection. The angry and defeated Hoffmann demands Schlémil give him the key to Giulietta’s room. When Schlémil refuses, Hoffmann grabs Dapertutto’s sword and challenges him to a dual. Hoffmann kills Schlémil and rushes to Giulietta’s room. Finding it empty, he looks out to find her sailing off in a gondola in the arms of another admirer, the dwarf, Pittichinaccio. Nicklausse grabs the distraught poet and ushers him away before he is arrested for murder.
Epilogue: Luther’s Tavern
Hoffmann’s audience is somber after hearing his stories. Nicklausse
philosophizes that all three women are embodied in Stella—the innocent,
the artist, and the courtesan. Luther breaks in announcing the imminent
arrival of the triumphant diva. Nicklausse proposes a toast to
Stella but Hoffmann insists that they just get drunk. Stella enters
asking for Hoffmann. Nicklausse tells her that he is dead drunk. The
students parade Stella on the arm of Lindorf out of the tavern.
The Muse reappears and lifts Hoffmann out of his drunken stupor to find
creative release for his sorrows in poetry.
