Bonynge: Offenbach – The Tales of Hoffmann (2 CD, FLAC)

Performer: Joan Sutherland, Plácido Domingo, André Neury, Gabriel Bacquier, Hugues Cuénod
Orchestra: L’Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Orchestre du Radio de la Suisse Romande, Pro Arte de Lausanne
Conductor: Andre Charlet, Richard Bonynge
Composer: Jacques Offenbach
Audio CD
SPARS Code: A-D
Number of Discs: 2
Format: FLAC (image+cue)
Label: Decca
Size: 632 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes

Hoffman – Plácido Domingo
La Muse, Nicklausse – Huguette Tourangeau
Lindorf, Coppelius – Gabriel Bacquier
Olympia, Giuiletta, Antonia, Stella – Joan Sutherland
Spalanzani – Jacques Charon
Luther – Roland Jacques
Andres, Cochenille, Pitichinaccio, Frantz – Hugues Cuénod
Crespel – Paul Plishka
La voix – Margarita Lilowa
Schlemil – André Neury
Nathanael, Hermann – Pedro di Proenza, Paul Guigue

For Me The Finest Tales of Hoffmann

Years ago while living in Minneapolis I heard portions of this recording played because the Met was bring the Tales of Hoffmann to Northrop Auditorium on the U of M campus. I am not an opera lover in general, but this just bowled me over with the beauty of the voices, the music of Offenbach, the orchestral playing, etc. Did two things when I got to work: 1) Called a friend at Schmitt Music and had them set aside the LP set, and 2) called Northrop to order a ticket. Of course, not being a regular subscriber to the opera you can guess where I ended up! Needed crampons, ropes, and oxygen to get to my seat!! After a nosebleed or two from the altitude, and a little mountain sickness I settled down to enjoy the music. I had binoculars thank goodness, so I could follow the action on stage. Joan Sutherland was in prime voice then (about 1973, or so), and was absolutely stunning. The gorgeous Barcarolle from the beginning of Act II sung by Sutherland as Giulietta and Huguette Tourangeau as Niklaus fulfilled every dream I may have had about the music. I still love this production, and find it as bright and pleasant as it was 41 years ago. Highly Recommended