After so much griping about new or imported Royal Opera productions recently, the company must be glad to be wheeling out one of its classics. Directed by Richard Gregson, this production of The Tales of Hoffmann was created by the late John Schlesinger in 1980, but seems to hail from a different era. This is old-fashioned opera on a grand scale, with substantial sets, expensive costumes, proper curtain calls. In the Venice act, there's even a gondola to enable our villain to glide in and out of the party in suitable style.

All this makes for long scene changes, which make for a very long evening: Offenbach's story of a poet recounting his three lost loves, all thwarted by one or other incarnation of the same devilish opponent, is not the most succinct. But it's worth it. Perhaps the best reason is the young Mexican Rolando Villazon, making quite an impression as Hoffmann with his robust, winningly red-blooded tenor. Very occasionally, he does have to push to compete with the orchestra, but his warm tone lasts. And he's just as convincing as the sozzled waster of the prelude and epilogue as he is as the ardent young lover in between.

Another plus is the chance to see Willard W White in what, amazingly, is his first appearance as the four villains. His voice may not have the body of a few years ago, but there's still no singer who does evil so well. The rest of the cast is strong, too. Ekaterina Siurina steals Act one with her skyscraping aria as mechanical doll Olympia, Jennifer Larmore is a luxury as Giulietta, and Elena Kelessidi is expressive as the tragic Antonia, though her intonation wavers. The chorus is on excellent form, and Richard Hickox gets a sound from the orchestra that's as solid and sumptuous as what's on stage, if a little short on sparkle. We're a long way from the cutting edge, but this Hoffmann is the sort of show the Royal Opera does really well.

· In rep until February 17. Box office: 020-7304 4000.