Mushroom clouds of fantasy: The Tales of Hoffmann in Riga

Giorgio Berrugi (Hoffmann) and Štěpánka Pučálková (NIcklausse)

Giorgio Berrugi (Hoffmann), Annija Kristiāna Ādamsone (Olympia) and Rihards Mačanovskis (Coppélius)

Inna Kločko (Antonia) and Rihards Mačanovskis (Dr Miracle)

The Venetian Act

Tatjana Trenogina (Giulietta) and Giorgio Berrugi (Hoffmann)

By Peter Quantrill, 09 October 2024

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“these are... Hoffmann’s own tales to tell, even when told under the influence of magic mushrooms”

Reviewed at Latvian National Opera, Riga on 4 October 2024

Offenbach, Les Contes d'Hoffmann (The Tales of Hoffmann)

Latvian National Opera

Frédéric Chaslin, Conductor

Aik Karapetian, Director

Miķelis Fišers, Set Designer

Kristīne Pasternaka, Costume Designer

Latvian National Opera Choir

Giorgio Berrugi, Hoffmann

Annija Kristiāna Ādamsone, Olympia

Inna Kločko, Antonia

Tatjana Trenogina, Giulietta

Štěpánka Pučálková, Nicklausse, The Muse

Rihards Mačanovskis, Lindorf, Coppélius, Dapertutto, Miracle

Ilona Bagele, Voice of Antonia's Mother

Salome in Riga, Winehouse at the Western Wall... with robots

Eleanor Knight, 21st February

The limitations of AI are demonstrated in Alvis Hermanis’ problematic new production of Salome at Latvian National Opera.

**111

Sparkling new L'elisir d'amore from Latvian National Opera

Dominic Lowe, 23rd May

The leafy parks and cobbled streets of Riga’s old town are far removed from the intense heat of the little village in the Basque Country in which Donizetti set his L'elisir d'amore, but a new production at the Latvian National Opera captures much of the spirit of the work, adroitly balancing comedy with the joys and pain of love.

****1

A game of light and darkness: Don Carlo in Riga

Richard Bratby, 5th October

Claus Guth's staging walks a line between atmosphere and audacity, in a powerful company achievement from Latvian National Opera.

****1

Four house debuts in Latvian National Opera's Bohème

David Karlin, 16th March

With four singers making their debuts and two more experienced singers making strong impression, Latvian opera singing appears to be in safe hands.

****1

Youthful style in Latvia National Opera's Fledermaus

David Karlin, 10th December

Edmunds Freibergs and Latvian National Opera give us a Fledermaus that's high on style and sheer entertainment, with a notable Adele from Inga Šļubovska.

****1

Romeo Castellucci directs a new Pelléas et Mélisande at La Scala

Laura Servidei, 26th April

The Italian director makes his long-awaited Italian operatic debut at the Teatro alla Scala in a production which perfectly mirrors Debussy’s most enigmatic creation.

****1

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Peter Quantrill

Peter Quantrill is a regular contributor to Gramophone, The Strad and other journals. Recent programme notes have been published by the Salzburg and Edinburgh festivals, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Royal Ballet. He also writes about music and musicians for many record labels including Eloquence, Delphian, Signum, Danacord and Brilliant Classics. Once unplugged from his hi-fi, he can generally be found in a London concert hall or at the cricket, and he tweets (sporadically) @PeterQuantrill.

Mushroom clouds of fantasy: a new Tales of Hoffmann in Riga