After Venice, Sydney and London, the production of Les Contes d’Hoffmann as seen through the eyes of Damiano Michieletto has arrived in Lyon for the end-of-year holiday season.
We will not discuss here the version presented, nor the staging, as these aspects have already been addressed during previous performances of this production around the world.
Suffice it to say that this production is visually engaging and offers a true “grand spectacle,” making it ideal for opera lovers as well as newcomers.
On this evening, Emmanuel Villaume’s conducting at the helm of the Orchestre de l’Opéra de Lyon is rather Germanic in spirit. The percussion resonates strongly, and the atmosphere of a German tavern is clearly present. It is not often that one hears the Lyon orchestra in this style, as it is usually capable of the finest refinements. Nevertheless, this muscular approach brings a welcome surge of energy.
The Chorus of the Opéra de Lyon shines in this production. Highly involved in the stage action, particularly in the Antonia act, they deliver a remarkable performance throughout the work and confirm their place among the very best choirs in the world.
Among the secondary roles, Hugo Santos is an authoritative Luther, while Alexander de Jong offers a Hermann with clear projection, as does Filipp Varik as Nathanaël.
We should also mention Jenny Anne Flory as the Muse, who unfortunately has very little to sing in this staging. Here, however, she moves us deeply in the sublime final pages of the work: her “Des cendres de ton âme” is beautifully interpreted.
Let us salute these soloists from the Lyon Opera Studio, whom we will be pleased to hear again later in the season.
François Piolino is a perfect Spalanzani, striking an ideal balance between singing and comedy. The same can be said of Vincent Ordonneau’s excellent performances as Andrès, Cochenille, Frantz, and Pitichinaccio.
Finally, Vincent Le Texier’s Crespel is a moving father figure and contributes greatly to the emotional impact of Act II.
In the principal roles, special praise goes to the outstanding Giulietta of Clémentine Margaine, whose extremely reduced role in this version is, of course, regrettable.
Eva Langeland Gjerde, also a soloist of the Opera Studio, portrays an irresistible Olympia in her acting. The high notes are secure, the required vocal pyrotechnics are successfully delivered, and the audience rewards the singer with a warm ovation.
Amina Edris once again takes on the role of Antonia this year, after performances at the Opéra Comique and very recently in Berlin at short notice. While some high notes are slightly short, the rest of her interpretation is remarkable for its intelligence and poise.
Victoria Karkacheva’s Nicklausse has all the necessary qualities for the role, particularly in the middle register. It is once again a pity that the role of the Muse is separated, as one would have liked to hear her in those arias as well.
The “villains” sung by Marko Mimica are very well interpreted. His efforts toward excellent French are commendable, though one might regret a slight lack of bite and wickedness to make this devil truly irresistible.
Finally, the great triumph of the evening is undoubtedly Iván Ayón Rivas. The Peruvian tenor is a radiant and fiery Hoffmann, inevitably recalling Plácido Domingo in this role. Despite a slightly South American–tinged French in the final act, this is a superb performance, marked by remarkable vitality and generosity.
Overall, this is a successful production that delights the Lyon audience, who came in large numbers to a sold-out house—another expression of Offenbach’s enduring magic.
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Les Contes d’Hoffmann
Un opéra de Jacques Offenbach.
Direction musicale : Emmanuel Villaume (du 16 au 29 décembre 2025) et Charlotte Corderoy (du 1er au 5 janvier 2026).
Mise en scène : Damiano Michieletto.
Scénographie : Paolo Fantin.
Costumes : Carla Teti.
Lumières : Alessandro Carletti.
Chorégraphie : Chiara Vecchi.
Chef des chœurs : Benedict Kearns.
Hoffmann : Iván Ayón Rivas.
Olympia : Eva Langeland Gjerde*.
Antonia : Amina Edris.
Giulietta : Clémentine Margaine.
Lindorf / Coppélius / Le Docteur Miracle / Dapertutto : Marko Mimica.
Nicklausse : Victoria Karkacheva.
La Muse / La Voix de la mère : Jenny Anne Flory*.
Andrès / Cochenille / Frantz / Pitichinaccio : Vincent Ordonneau.
Crespel : Vincent Le Texier.
Nathanaël : Filipp Varik*.
Spalanzani : François Piolino.
Hermann / Schlemil : Alexander de Jong*.
Luther : Hugo Santos*.
Orchestre et Chœurs de l’Opéra de Lyon.
En collaboration avec les Classes à Horaires Aménagés de Danse de Lyon.
* Solistes du Lyon Opéra Studio
