Opera Plots I - MDC Faculty Home Pages

and playing upon a modern violin instead of a lyre; and Jupiter now promises that he shall lead
forth Eurydice to his boat, adding the condition that, if he looks back, she will be snatched back
from him once more. Orpheus therefore proceeds to lead forth his runaway and reluctant wife; but
upon sly Jupiter dropping a thunderbolt in his path he turns round, and Eurydice is instantly
snatched back to Hades. Public Opinion is much upset by this turn of affairs; but Orpheus sings a
song of rejoicing at what he considers his happy release, and he returns in high good humour to his
pretty shepherdess.
121. TALES OF HOFFMANN
Fantastic Opera in Three Acts with Prologue and Epilogue By Jacques Offenbach
Libretto By Jules Barbier (Adapted from three of E. T. A. Hoffmann's Tales)
First Produced Paris, February, 1881
Chief Characters Olympia, Guilietta, Antonia, Hoffmann, Nicklaus, Spallanzani, Coppelius,
Dapurtutto, Dr Mirakel, Schlemil, Crespel
THE scene of the prologue is laid in Nuremberg in Luthers celebrated wine-cellar, where
Hoffmann and his friend, Nicklaus, meet their boon companions and make merry between the acts
of the opera, which is being performed in the adjoining theatre. Hoff-mann, being charged by his
companions with sadness, offers to explain to them the reason by relating the stories of his three
unfortunate love-affairs; and the students all desert the opera and remain to listen to the three
enthralling love-stories, which are now revealed to the audience by the three acts that follow.
In Act 1 we have the story of Hoffmanns first love. The young man has fallen in love with the
beautiful Olympia, who is believed by him to be the daughter of a well-known physiologist,
Spallanzani; and, accompanied by his friend Nicklaus, he offers himself as a pupil to the scientist,
in order to be near the object of his affection. Olympia is, however, only a marvellously life-like
automaton made by Spallanzani, who has been assisted in the work by Coppelius, a mysterious
man who sets up to be a magician, and who now claims a substantial share in the profits which
may accrue, he having supplied the doll with her beautiful eyes. Spallanzani, however, agrees to
buy his partner out; and to that end he gives him a draft on a Jew whom he knows to be already
bankrupt. Coppelius accepts the cheque with pleasure; and he then contrives to sell a pair of magic
spectacles to the love-sick Hoffmann, by means of which inanimate objects appear to be endowed
with life. Spallanzani now gives a party to his friends, at which he introduces them to the doll,
Olympia, who, on being wound up, sings, speaks, and dances. The guests are all filled with
admiration for the wonderful piece of work; but Hoffmann, wearing his magic glasses, believes
her to be a living maiden, and having already conceived a violent passion for her, declares his love
for her at the first opportunity, regardless of her mechanical replies of " Yes! Yes! " He next
engages her to dance with him; but the doll, having been over-wound, gets out of control, and
Hoffmann is whirled with her about the room until he falls in a faint. On recovering, he learns that
Coppelius, having discovered the deception practised on him by his colleague, is at that moment
destroying the doll in revenge; and as Hoffmanns spectacles have been broken during his swoon
he now realises the foolish mistake he has made, and retires crestfallen before the jeers of the
laughing guests.