SPHERE's Lisa Barnard took a seat at the dress rehearsal of The Tales of Hoffmann at The Royal Opera in London. This dazzling new production, audaciously directed by Damiano Michieletto, brings together a starry cast for a mesmerising journey through Hoffmann’s disastrous love tangles and disillusionment, delivered with panache. Catch this in London if you can - it's a visual and aural treat.