Which opera by Offenbach features the barcarole entitled 'Belle nuit, o nuit d'amour'?
Belle nuit, ô nuit d'amour Belle nuit, ô nuit d'amour "Belle nuit, ô nuit d'amour" (often referred to as the "Barcarolle") is a piece from "The Tales of Hoffmann", Jacques Offenbach's final opera. A duet for soprano and mezzo-soprano, it is considered the most famous barcarolle ever written and described in the "Grove Book of Operas" as "one of the world's most popular melodies." The text, concerning the beauty of the night and of love, is by Jules Barbier. The piece opens the opera's third act, set in Venice. It is sung by the characters Giulietta – the protagonist Hoffmann's love, a Venetian courtesan –
Belle nuit, ô nuit d'amour and Nicklausse – Hoffmann's poetic muse, in disguise as his faithful male companion. In addition to the Venetian location it sets the seductive and sinister tone of the Venice act in general and of Giulietta's character specifically. The music reappears later in the act in a septet, "Hélas! Mon cœur s'égare encore," which was constructed by editors of the opera. "Belle nuit" is in the 6/8 time signature characteristic of barcarolles, "allegretto moderato". Approximately a minute of musical introduction occurs before the melody appears, although a flute accompaniment figure which suggests the melody, "suspend[ing] time" and creating anticipation for the