As we did research for this season’s Tales of Hoffmann for this season, I was repeatedly amazed and inspired by the real-life hero of Offenbach’s opera. I kicked the challenge over to WTOC coach/pianist Jeremy Frank and a quartet of … Continue reading →

Finally put them on Flickr. Enjoy!

I’ve been remiss in not shouting from the Blogging Rooftops how thrilled we are to be working from Schott’s Kaye/Keck edition for our Tales of Hoffmann. Producing this opera is like being presented with a wealth of confusing riches, not … Continue reading →

Such empty promises. In spite of such good intentions. I would have loved nothing more than to take you along with me on the ride that is Hoffmann at The Barns. But, as too often happens, it came down to … Continue reading →

First look at this beautiful production. Early images from Monday evening’s piano tech.  More tomorrow.  

We’ve wrestled this fantastical, sprawling opera into 3 beautifully tight hours. But you’d never know it from the look of our directing intern’s score. :) SitzWandelProbe tonight. Some standing, little sitting, a fair amount of wandering, and some jaw-dropping singing. … Continue reading →

Tonight’s task: final editing of supertitles for the Antonia Act of The Tales of Hoffmann. In short, the heroine of this act is a sensitive artiste, a former singer who has become so weak that she may not survive the … Continue reading →

The Tales of Hoffmann enjoyed an exhilarating final run-through in the rehearsal room. Full set of photos on Flickr. At left, our hero (sung by Nathaniel Peake) tries to resist the allure of the three ladies who moved through his … Continue reading →