The Tales of Hoffmann

Opera Company of Philadelphia • November 9, 13, 15, 18, 22, 1998 at the Academy of Music

Scenic and Lighting Design: Boyd Ostroff • Director: Kay Walker Castaldo • Associate Director: Michael Scarola • Costume Design: Richard St. Clair • Conductor: John Keenan

Hoffmann: Jean-Pierre Furlan • Lindorf/Coppèlius/Dr. Miracle/Dapertutto: David Pittsinger • Olympia/Antonia/Guilietta/Stella: Susan Patterson • Andrès/Spalanzani/Frantz/Pitichinaccio: Melvin Lowery • Luther: Thomas Scurto-Davis • Nicklausse: Christine Abraham • Nathanaël/Cochenille: Jeffrey Picón • Hermann/Crespel: Perry Ward

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“… the Opera Company of Philadelphia is presenting a new production of Tales of Hoffman that stars a robot, computer and virtual reality.

But director Kay Walker Castaldo says we needn’t fear. She doesn’t intend to subject the audience to hokey new age images. The virtual reality goggles will be worn by the leading character, the poet Hoffman, and he will see the robot as a flesh-and-blood woman.

Castaldo collaborated with designer Boyd Ostroff on what she calls her “bizarre and surreal” vision for the opera, with sets and costumes all made here at OCP’s studio. In addition to the VR paraphernalia, there’ll also be an electric guitar and an electronic keyboard on stage. The instruments, though real, won’t be plugged in; the music we hear will be Offenbach’s original orchestration.” – Steve Cohen, Philadelphia City Paper, 11/12/1998

 

 

Design Evolution

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Final Design Sketches

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Production Photos

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Backstage Photos

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Design and Technical Drawings

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hoffmann_programProduction Staff

Director of Production: Boyd Ostroff • Asst Director of Production: Shima Orans • Lighting Coordinator: Mike Voytko • Props Coordinator: Cindy Felice • Stage Manager: Margo Maier • Asst Stage Managers: Lori Aghazarian, Maya Choldin • Costume Director: Richard St. Clair • Technical Production Intern: Joshua Krall

Technical Director: John Callahan • Properties Master: Lou Petrucci, Jr • Master Electrician: Michael Hennessy • Asst Electrician: William Hennessy • Flyman: Timothy Callahan

Shop Carpenters: John Callahan, Thomas Bowen, Paul Lodes, Timothy Callahan, Matthew McIntyre, William Ringland

Scenic Artists: Sarah Baptist, Krzystof Bratun, Karen Tennant

 

Scenery Data

  • Built Aug-Oct, 1998 at the Opera Company of Philadelphia Production Center / Frankford Arsenal
  • Scenery construction budget: $81,958 • Actual cost: $69,552 • Total rental income: $10,000 as of May 2011
  • Load-in crew: 16 • Run Crew: 16  (carpenters, flymen and props only) • 8 hours required for load-in • 1 truck required for shipping
  • This production no longer exists

 

The Tales of Hoffmann – Syracuse

Syracuse Opera • May 4, 6, 2001 at the Civic Center of Onondaga County

Scenic Design: Boyd Ostroff • Director: Richard Mckee • Lighting Design: Michael Voytko • Costume Design: Richard St. Clair • Conductor: Steven White

Lindorf/Coppèlius/Dr. Miracle/Dapertutto: John Fanning • Hoffmann: Barton Green • Olympia/Antonia/Guilietta/Stella: Joan Eubank • Andrès/Spalanzani/Frantz/Pitichinaccio: Melvin Lowery • Nicklausse: Leah Creek

 

Backstage Photos (Syracuse)

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Production History

Opera Company of Philadelphia • November 9, 13, 15, 18, 22, 1998 (premiere) at the Academy of Music • Scenic and Lighting Design: Boyd Ostroff • Director: Kay Walker Castaldo • Associate Director: Michael Scarola • Costume Design: Richard St. Clair • Hair and Makeup Design: Tom Watson • Conductor: John Keenan

Syracuse Opera • May 4, 6, 2001 at the Civic Center of Onondaga County • Scenic Design: Boyd Ostroff • Director: Richard Mckee • Lighting Design: Michael Voytko • Costume Design: Richard St. Clair • Conductor: Steven White • Director of Operations: Bari Wroblewski

 

 

 



 

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