Seeking to exorcise the failure of his current love affair, the poet Hoffmann tells the tales of his three past loves - the doll-like Olympia, the high-lass courtesan Giulietta, and the ambitious but delicate Antonia - and recalls how each was thwarted by the evil influence of his rival.

In this production by the distinguished film director, John Schlesinger, with spectacular designs by Maria Bjornson and William Dudley, Offenbach's nightmarish world is brought to life. The all-star cast is headed by Placido Domingo as Hoffman: his three loves are Ileana Cotrubas, Agnes Baltsa, and Luciana Serra and the manifestations of his rival are sung by Geraint Evans, Robert Lloyd, Siegmund Nimsgern, and Nicola Ghiuselev. The score, which include such favorites as the Barcarolle and the Doll's Song, is conducted by Georges Pretre.