John Relyea won Artist of the Year in 2004/05 for his performance as the Four Villains in “The Tales of Hoffmann.” Relyea, who made his Seattle Opera debut in 2000 as Don Basilio in “The Barber of Seville,” has also sung Giorgio in “I puritani,” Bluebeard in “Bluebeard’s Castle,” Massenet’s Don Quichotte, and Verdi’s Attila in Seattle. In his first appearance, as the sinister Councilor Lindorf, the character sings of his intention to thwart Hoffmann: “I know I'm hopeless when it comes to playing the lover. But I make a wonderful devil! My eyes cast lightning-bolts, my glance has a satanic intensity which zaps the nerves like an electric shock! I work my way from nerves to heart. I conquer through fear! The beloved Prima Donna loves my rival, not me—but what does it matter? I may be old, but I'm still dangerous!” Dean Williamson conducts the orchestra of Seattle Opera.