Now in its second year of existence, SERIO is presenting its grandest production yet—Offenbach’s The Tales of Hoffman: Friday August 1st at 7:30 pm, Sunday August 3rdat 2:30 pm, Friday August 8 th at 7:30 pm and Sunday August 10th at 2:30 pm—at the Pittsburgh Music
Academy, 5700 Forbes Avenue in Squirrel Hill.
“Due to Offenbach’s untimely death, there was no definitive final draft. We did extensive research
into his musical editions, and we are very pleased to present this production with the inclusion of
music that is seldom heard. We have a mission to produce the opera as close to the composer’s
vision as our resources allow,” said Louisa Jonason, Founder and Executive Director of SERIO.
She added, “The Tales of Hoffman premiered at Opera Comique in Paris and featured some of the
most memorable songs that Offenbach wrote such as the hauntingly beautiful Barcarole and the
virtuosic coloratura piece, Olympia’s aria otherwise known as “The Doll Song”. The music is truly
magnificent. “
SERIO, Sing Entire Role in Opera, began in 2024—presenting Mozart’s Cosi fan Tutte in May,
Menotti’s The Medium in September, and a sold out La Boheme by Puccini in January 2025. Since
then, SERIO has thrived offering singers the unique opportunity to participate in first-rate, fully
staged, operatic productions of standard repertoire. This production features William Andrews in the
title role, Anthony J. Massetto as all three villains, Jennifer Coffman as The Muse/Nicklaus, Alexa
Zeremenko as Giulietta, Theresa Kesser as Antonia, Danielle Sanchez/ Amber Willis as The Doll,
Sarah Austin as Antonia’s Mother, Hudson Vasquez-Schmitt as Cochenille, Jeffery Gross as
Spallanzani/Frank, Robert Herold as Crespel/Schlemil.
SYNOPSIS:
The Tales of Hoffman follows the poet, Hoffmann, as he recounts three tragic love stories from his
past. Each tale centers on a different woman—Olympia, a mechanical doll; Antonia, a fragile singer;
and Giulietta, a seductive courtesan—each representing a facet of Hoffmann’s idealized love. He is
accompanied by a Muse who is transformed into his companion, Nicklaus, loyally helping him on his
quest. Throughout these stories, Hoffmann is continually deceived by a villainous antagonist first
appearing to him as mad scientist, then a doctor, and lastly a dark force trying to steal his very being.
He ultimately realizes that his true muse is not romantic love but is his art. The opera blends fantasy,
romance, and melancholy, reflecting the blurred line between imagination and reality.
Tickets are available online at https://www.ticketleap.events/events/serio.
SERIO (Sing Entire Role in Opera) gives local talent the opportunity to sing a complete role, fully
staged and costumed—both to provide professional development to classically-trained artists and to
introduce to the Pittsburgh audience some of the area’s finest talents. Learn more at
www.SerioWithUs.com.
Performance Dates:
🎟 August 1st at 7:30 PM
🎟 August 3rd at 2:30 PM
🎟 August 8th at 7:30 PM
🎟 August 10th at 2:30 PM
Location:
Pittsburgh Music Academy
5700 Forbes Ave
Pittsburgh, PA
Get your tickets here:
https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/serio/tales-of-hoffman
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