03:10 To answer your question, "Tales of Hoffmann" has three basic versions: 1. Choudens (1907): This edition of the score was among the first few to be performed after the world premiere in 1881. This edition premiered at the Monte Carlo Opera, and was arranged by Raoul Gunsbourg. This is the one which places the Giulietta act as Act 2 and not as Act 3 (That was Gunsbourg's attempt to restore the Giulietta act, which until then was cut entirely). 2. Oeser (1979): This one doesn't only restore the original order of the acts, but also features several unperformed arias such as the Muse's aria in the Prologue, Nicklausse's cabaletta and the Hoffmann-Coppelius-Nicklausse trio in Act 1, the Violin aria in Act 2, Dappertutto's original diamond aria in Act 3 (which was arranged by Gunsbourg as an aria for Coppelius in 1907), and the Apotheosis which ends the opera. However, Oeser's version is as equally untrue to the original libretto as the Choudens version, especially Act 3, where he inserted in more music from Offenbach's earlier German opera "The Rhine Fairies" (from which Offenbach himself imported the Barcarolle). 3. Kaye-Keck (1987): This edition of the score, by musicologists Michael Kaye and Jean-Christophe Keck, is a 100 percent restoration of Offenbach's manuscripts for the opera. Also, in this edition, they offer stage-directors a much wider range of possibilities: 2 versions of the Muse's aria in the prologue, 2 versions of Nicklausse's aria in Act 1, 3 versions of Dappertutto's aria in Act 3 (including the one from the Choudens version), a completely new version of the Gambling Scene in Act 3 (as well as a reconstruction of the Act's original final scene), 2 versions of the Epilogue, and a side by side comparison of Recitatives vs Dialogues. This one is my favorite.
Thank you for this guide. I am going to see this at Covent Garden on Thursday, so I will definitely be looking out for these highlights, and revising the Met's version.
This opera sounds so fun! I really enjoyed the Coppelia ballet so I feel like I would enjoy this too. I love the idea of reading Hoffmann’s short stories as well. I’m excited to check out the musical moments you linked. Thanks for your wonderful introduction!
03:10 To answer your question, "Tales of Hoffmann" has three basic versions:
1. Choudens (1907): This edition of the score was among the first few to be performed after the world premiere in 1881. This edition premiered at the Monte Carlo Opera, and was arranged by Raoul Gunsbourg. This is the one which places the Giulietta act as Act 2 and not as Act 3 (That was Gunsbourg's attempt to restore the Giulietta act, which until then was cut entirely).
2. Oeser (1979): This one doesn't only restore the original order of the acts, but also features several unperformed arias such as the Muse's aria in the Prologue, Nicklausse's cabaletta and the Hoffmann-Coppelius-Nicklausse trio in Act 1, the Violin aria in Act 2, Dappertutto's original diamond aria in Act 3 (which was arranged by Gunsbourg as an aria for Coppelius in 1907), and the Apotheosis which ends the opera. However, Oeser's version is as equally untrue to the original libretto as the Choudens version, especially Act 3, where he inserted in more music from Offenbach's earlier German opera "The Rhine Fairies" (from which Offenbach himself imported the Barcarolle).
3. Kaye-Keck (1987): This edition of the score, by musicologists Michael Kaye and Jean-Christophe Keck, is a 100 percent restoration of Offenbach's manuscripts for the opera. Also, in this edition, they offer stage-directors a much wider range of possibilities: 2 versions of the Muse's aria in the prologue, 2 versions of Nicklausse's aria in Act 1, 3 versions of Dappertutto's aria in Act 3 (including the one from the Choudens version), a completely new version of the Gambling Scene in Act 3 (as well as a reconstruction of the Act's original final scene), 2 versions of the Epilogue, and a side by side comparison of Recitatives vs Dialogues. This one is my favorite.
My appreciation for opera continues to grow because of what I am learning from you!
We definitely have to watch this version when it comes out on the app. It's gorgeous!
Thank you ! Calm clear teaching . I appreciate it more than you can know.
Thank you!
Thank you for this guide. I am going to see this at Covent Garden on Thursday, so I will definitely be looking out for these highlights, and revising the Met's version.
You're so welcome! I'm glad it's proving useful. Enjoy the show - seeing Juan Diego Flórez would be amazing!
This opera sounds so fun! I really enjoyed the Coppelia ballet so I feel like I would enjoy this too. I love the idea of reading Hoffmann’s short stories as well. I’m excited to check out the musical moments you linked. Thanks for your wonderful introduction!
Thank you! It will be on PBS' Great Performances soon, I hope, so you can see it afterwards. :)
@@freshparchment Oh that would be great, I'll be on the lookout!