Les Contes d’Hoffmann. Les Contes d’Hoffmann is a formidable opera to stage. Few works move so abruptly between exuberant comedy, fantastical deception and harrowing tragedy. Its unusual history adds another complication: Offenbach died before completing it, leaving every production to decide what musical shape the opera should take. We were therefore particularly curious about St. Gallen’s use of the edition prepared by Michael Kaye and Jean-Christophe Keck. Which arias would be included, which were omitted, and in what order would the acts appear?
