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The guests seek Giulietta and Hoffmann chal-
lenges Schlemil to a game of cards. Giulietta
remains aloof and sings a song in which she
feigns unrequited love, all the while looking
meaningfully at Hoffman. Hoffmann gets up
from the table, hands his cards to Nicklausse
and walks over to Giulietta. She teases him and
spurns him, but she behaves in a lovelorn man-
ner, and Hoffmann again surrenders to amorous
enthrallment. Giulietta asks Hoffmann to take
the key to her boudoir from Schlemil. The party
ends, the guests leave.
Schlemil and Hoffmann duel for Giulietta’s
key. Dapertutto gives Hoffmann his sword,
and Hoffman kills Schlemil. Hoffmann takes
the key to Giulietta’s boudoir and hurries to
her. Giulietta continues to toy with Hoffmann,
pretending to despair that Hoffmann will be ar-
rested for murder – she tells him he must flee.
Hoffmann passionately professes his love for
her. Giulietta asks him to give her his reflec-
tion in the mirror, so she can keep the memory
of their love in her heart. The bewildered Hoff-
mann is willing to give over everything – his
reflection in the mirror, his soul, his life…As
agreed, Giulietta takes Hoffmann’s reflection
and gives it to Dapertutto.
Act 5,
Epilogue
– Hoffmann finishes his tales
and his friends try to console him. The perfor-
mance at the theatre has just ended, and Stella
receives a standing ovation. All Hoffmann
wants to do is drink and forget. Eventually,
Stella appears, yet Hoffman barely recognizes
her as she blends with the women from his
tales. Stella reproachfully parts with Hoff-
mann, and her voice perishes amid the buoy-
ant song of his friends. The Muse approaches
the woebegone Hoffmann, this time as herself.
In her arms, Hoffmann regains his peace; with
her help he will rise again and transform his
sorrow into poetry.
Source: Opera of the National Theatre Prague
Photo: Paphos Aphrodite Festival