The Washington times., 1908-05-10
OPERA WITHIN
OPERA THEME
OFLOVE TALES

In Europe there are several versions
OF the opera 'Honmann's Love Tales"
in use. For the first American pro-
duction In English. by the Aborn Opera
Company, in New York, a libretto was
written by G. 1. Fuller founded on the
French version called Les Contes
d dHonmann, as produced at the Opera
Comique in Paris. II is extremely fan
ciful. rang ng from the fascinating
wierdness of a fairy story TO decidedly
mundane humor and brilliant comedy
most aptly described as an operate
novelty.
Hermann is a young poet with the
spark OF genius. but has failed 10 reach
the greatness he should on account OF
his preoccuDatiOn in love affairs. and
his susceptibility 60 beautiful woman's
fascinations forms the basis Of the plot.
The first act is a prologue; the scene
laid IN a German drinking place ad-
joining a theater. where Hoffman, and
his friends, Nicklausse, Nathaniel and
many others have gathered TO drink
and make merry. The young poet has
recently fallen in love again, this time
with Stella, an opera singer In the
thedter next door. He has a rival in
his latest AFFAIR of the heart. in the
rich Counsellor Lindcrf, who meets
him here. and the two cross wits in
bitter repartee. Hoffmann's fellow rev.
elers ask him 20 relate his former love
affairs for their entertainment. As he
begins mis- story the curtain falls on
the first act. or prologue. and the sec
end and third acts depict 10 the au-
dience the adventures ne is supposed
10 relate 10 his companions.
The second act shows Hofmann and
his friend. Nicklausse. on a trip through
Italy. The scene is laid in the palatial
home or rich old scientist. SpaIan-
zani. who has been experimenting for
years on mechanical dolls and has final
" created one called Olympia. which IS
50 beautiful and cleverly contrfved that
the old inventor palms il off on his as
sembled guests as his own daughter.
Hoffman, falls in love with her. and is
madly infatuated: until Coppelius, an
old Jewish peddler of wonderful glass
lenses and other Ike apparatus en-
ragged because he claims he has been
swindled in selling the beautiful eyes
for Olympia TO Spalauzani, steals into
the house. SEXES the don and destroys
her in front Of the astonished poet
lover. The act is full Of comedy. fur
nished by Coppelius, SpalanZani. and
the latter's servant, Cochinelle. and
ends in the riOtous laughter OF the
guests at Hoffmann's discontinue.
While the secOEd act is almost farcical
the third Is the direct antithesis. for 81
Is pathetic in the extreme. and deals
with the supernatural. II is laid in the
drawing room Of Hoffmann's second
love. AnJonia. in Venice. She IS a beauti-
fui young girl. but a cOnsumptive. Pos
sessed OF q beautiful voice she is for
hidden 20 sing by her father. Crespel.
for fear that the exertion may bring
on her death. as IL Gid her mothers be-
fore her. The young poet, learning Of
this. ADDS Ohis cutreaties to those OF
Crespel. but the influence Of both is set
At naught by DIT. Miracle. man OF
hideous appearance hypnotist and a
master Of sOrcery, who enters mysterl-
ously and causes a vision Of the dead
mother TO appear IN a picture on the
wall and sing tc Antonia At the re-
quest OF the apparatio1. Antonia sings.
and dies as HOnmaHn Te-enters. just in
time 10 receive her farewell.
The last act. or epiloEue returns TO
the scene OF the first act. o.. prologue.
where Hoffman, and his friends are still
sitting assembled r. the tavern. after
he has finished the narrative embraced
in the second snd third acts After
his friends leave. the Poetic Muse ap-
pears TO the young genius. and beEs
him 10 cease mis- dissipation give I'D all
thoughts OF the lovely woman and serve
only her. assuring him that she is his
guardian angel and the only mistress
who VIII be constant and faithful. lead
ing hin. TO fame that should be his qs
"A poet. ne yields. and when Stella en-
terS and tries TO arouse hIs infatuation
Tor her ne throws of the spell and 70
linquishes her TO his rival. LindorT
4 unique and original couceit in this
version IS the casting of one prima don
ma for the three roles. Olympia AnfoDis
and Stella to convey the IDEA that tho
young poet is not merely tickle in his
various loves. but cherisheS an ideal
which reaupears in the personaIities 81
these three women whom he wins and
loses.