from Act I of the French opera
Les Contes d'Hoffmann by Jacques Offenbach
Libretto: Jules Barbier
Role: Nicklausse, the friend of Hoffmann
Voice Part: mezzo-soprano Fach: lyric mezzo
Setting: The parlor room of Spalanzani the scientist, 19th century
Synopsis: After Hoffmann tells Nicklausse that he has fallen in love with Olympia, Nicklausse (who knows that Olympia is a mechanical doll) sings him a warning song telling the story of a mechanical doll that looked human that fell in love with a copper bird.