Our favorite classically trained tenor returns to Music City for his debut in the lead role of the latest production by Nashville Opera. Walking the fine line between dreams and reality, this fantastical thrill-ride takes the audience along on a poet’s exhaustive search for the perfect woman. Loosely based on the life and loves of E.T.A. Hoffmann (whose “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” became a really famous ballet), Offenbach’s vignettes glitter with sensuality, emotion and the glorious agony of the creative process. An imaginative art deco set and famous tunes you already know make this a night of must-see theatre.
Tales of Hoffmann, the fascinating journey through the fevered dreams of a lovelorn poet, a man desperate to find his muse, will be performed at the Andrew Jackson Hall, TPAC on two nights only, Thursday, April 4 at 7:00PM and Saturday, April 6 at 8:00PM.
Nashville Opera will present this new version of the Hoffman story with music by Jacques Offenbach; libretto by Jules Barbier from the play by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré; directed by John Hoomes conducted by William Boggs, featuring the Nashville Opera Orchestra; sung in French, with projected English titles. Running time is 2 hours, 53 minutes, with two 20-minute intermissions.
Starring in Tales of Hoffmann are Noah Stewart as Hoffman; Zachary James, The 2019 Bovender Principal Artist as Lindorf / Dr. Miracle / Coppelius / Dapertutto; Chelsea Friedlander as Olympia; Inna Dukach as Antonia / Giulietta/Stella; John Easterlin as Andrès / Spalanzani / Frantz / Pitichinaccio; Rafael Porto as Luther / Crespel ; Darius Thomas as Nathanael / Cochenille; Brent Hetherington as Hermann / Schlemil ; and Megan Murphy Chambers as the Muse.
Plan now to attend the 2018-19 Nashville Opera finale: The Cradle Will Rock, coming to TPAC for three performances — Fri., May 10 at 8:00 pm; Sat., May 11 at 8:00 pm; and Sun., May 12 at 4:00pm. Once banned for its hot-button social commentary, this landmark jazz opera serves up its comedic drama in a satisfying cocktail of classical, pop and musical theatre. As relevant today as it was when Orson Welles directed its 1937 debut, our Cradle might stir up a little controversy even now. Not to worry…our Nashville-studded cast will soften Blitzstein’s barbs.
Nashville Opera has announced its 2019-2020 season, a compelling mix of beloved favorites and important 20th-century works. The season will open with Puccini’s Madame Butterfly, at TPAC, Thur. Oct. 10 & Sat. Oct 12, 2019. The season continues with the Christmas opera Amahl and the Night Visitors, Fri., Sat., & Sun., Dec. 13-15, 2019 at the Liff Center. Nashville Opera presents Turn of the Screw – one of opera’s greatest ghost stories; Fri., Sat., & Sun., Jan. 24-26, 2020 at the Liff Center. Nashville Opera closes its season with Verdi’s Rigoletto, a classic story of love and vengeance which has electrified audiences for well over a century, Thur., Apr. 9 & Sat., Apr. 11, 2020 at TPAC.
