By Seth Freedland

West Bay Opera concludes its 45th season with the surreal and dreamlike “The Tales of Hoffmann,” premiering Friday at Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto. Organizers said it’s a production bound to dazzle and excite.

“The Tales of Hoffmann” (”Les Contes d’Hoffmann”), an opera by Jacques Offenbach, consists of stories by the German romantic poet E.T.A. Hoffmann regarding the great loves of his life and the evil geniuses who thwarted him at every turn.

Stage director David Ostwald believes the show will be a rousing success.

“‘The Tales of Hoffmann’ is an intriguing piece, because it has a number of different versions, which allows me to go in any number of directions,” Ostwald said. “Also, (Hoffmann) consists of several stories folded inside each other, which makes the viewing exciting.”

“The Tales of Hoffmann” portrays a mysterious world where human and supernatural forces meet. This mystical quality makes the opera one of Ostwald’s favorite works.

“There are many dream scenes, with surreal sequences. These allow me to make the physical representations quite abstract, adding a shifting, dream-like quality,” Ostwald said. “At one point, I employ water and mirrors to have the effect I desired.”

The visual aspect surely could not have the profound effect it does without the crucial musical accompaniment. Ali Jennings, West Bay’s business-administration manager, believes conductor Henry Mollicone has produced a remarkable performance.

“He’s conducted with us many times before, and every time he does something fantastic. (Mollicone) is also a playwright and composer and brings such great energy to everything he does,” Jennings said.

Ostwald agrees.

“This opera has enjoyable, really gorgeous music, which includes maybe one of the most famous melodies of all time. The singers have been well-led and are themselves first-rate,” he said.

Founded in 1956, West Bay is the second-oldest opera company in California.

Each year, West Bay presents 18 performances of three fully-staged opera productions at Lucie Stern Theatre.

Performances are scheduled for 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m., Sunday, with the same times set for June 1-3.

Tickets are $36, with a special $18 youth ticket (for those under 18) for Sunday matinees.

For more information, call 424-9999 or logon to www.wbopera.org.