Lyric Opera Chicago - Tales of Hoffman

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 10/29/11 at 2:31am

So I have tomorrow night off in Chicago and am feeling like I need a complete change of pace for the evening from the children's show I'm currently touring with. I'm thinking of going to see Hoffman at the Lyric Opera. It's always been a favorite of mine. Has anybody seen this production? Worth the money and the time? Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

[LilMiZBroADwaY23]

Posted: 10/30/11 at 10:39am

I'm a dePaul University grad, and the feedback I'm getting fromt he school of music faculty/students is great. I've heard Hoffman is AMAZING, and James Morris is hilarious as the villains. The only person I heard was weak was Giulietta. Go enjoy!!! I would if I had time! I'm really itching to see Lucia.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 10/30/11 at 11:32am

I did end up going and had a wonderful time. It was a beautiful production and the singers were amazing. I would agree that the Giulietta was the weakest of the three women, but she was still good (it doesn't help that her act is the shortest and the character doesn't get a real solo moment to shine like Olympia and Antonia). My only major quibble was that they did act bows to allow Olympia and Antonia to leave right after their acts. I understand that the singers often don't want to wait until the end for their bows, but I hate when Hoffman is done this way as it kind of breaks up the story for me.

But all in all a great night at the opera.

[AC126748]

Posted: 10/31/11 at 6:44am

How does James Morris sound these days? The last few times I heard him at the Met, it wasn't pretty.