Episode 5
Donald Macleod Offenbach's final opera, Les Contes d'Hoffmann, which he began in 1877, and which occupied him for the rest of his life.
Offenbach began writing his final operatic statement, "Les Contes d'Hoffmann" in 1877. The project was to occupy him for the rest of his life. For the first time ever he worked slowly, deliberating carefully over the music.The result of his labour was to be his most profound opera, but tragically he was to die before completing it, so that task was handed over to Ernest Guiraud. The premiere took place at the Opéra-Comique on 10th February, 1881 and ran for more than a hundred performances in its first season. Presented by Donald Macleod.
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Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes d'Hoffmann - Act 2 Belle Nuit, O Nuit D'Amour
Performers: Huguette tourangeau (Nicklausse), Joan Sutherland (Giulietta), Chorus and Orchestra of the Radio Suisse Romande, Richard Bonynge (conductor)
- Decca 4176332.
- 17.
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Jacques Offenbach
Belle Lurette: Ce fut a Londres
Performers: Yvonne Kenny (Soprano), Loic Felix (Tenor), London Philharmonic Orchestra, David Parry (conductor)
- Opera Rara: ORR 243.
- 16.
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Jacques Offenbach
Les Conte D'Hoffmann - Act 1
Performers: Joan Sutherland (Olympia), Chorus and Orchestra of Suisse Romande, Richard Bonynge (Conductor)
- Decca: 4173632.
- 9.
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Jacques Offenbach
Act 3 Tu ne Chanteras plus...sais-tu quel sacrifice
Perofrmers:Gabriel Bacquier (Miracle), Joan Sutherland (Atonia), Margarita Lilowa (La voix), Chorus and Orchestra of the Suisse Romande, Richard Bonynge (Conductor)
- Decca: 4173632.
- 9.
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Jacques Offenbach
Les Contes D'Hoffmann - Epilogue: Adieu! Je Ne Veux Pas Te Survive
Performers: Placido Domingo (Hoffmann), Gabriel Bacquier (Lindorf), Huguette Tourangeau (Nicklausse), Joan Sutherland (Stella), Orchestra of the Suisse Romande, Richard Bonynge (conductor)
- Decca:4173632.
- 2.
Broadcast
- Fri 28 Dec 201212:00BBC Radio 3
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