Jacques Offenbach's opera, imbued with fantasy, sentimental and grotesque features, originates from E. T. A. Hoffmann's fantasy stories. The French libretto, inspired by Hoffmann's work, was written by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré. The plot is in contrast to the staple operatic repertoire, and focuses also on poetic and existential issues. Offenbach's music reflects a strong connection to the essence of stage and operatic performance, humour, dynamism and sensitivity. The new opera production in Maribor will represent an excellent aesthetic mixture of Western opera tradition and the Far East theatrical perspectives.