Hansel and Gretel
by Englebert Humperdinck

Conducted by Donald Runnicles

A delightfully Grimm tale for adults and children.

Hansel and Gretel resonates with both adults and children and has become one of the most successful fairy-tale operas ever created. The composer, Engelbert Humperdinck, was a protégé of Richard Wagner and the opera’s score is flavored with the sophisticated musical lessons he learned from his idol while maintaining a charm and a light touch that were entirely Humperdinck’s own.

The opera acknowledges the darker features present in the Brothers Grimm version of the familiar folk tale, yet presents them within a frame of grace and humor.

The score of Hansel and Gretel combines accessible charm with subtle sophistication. Like Wagner, Humperdinck assigns musical themes to certain ideas and then transforms the themes according to new developments in the drama. Unlike Wagner, however, Humperdinck uses separate songs (with real folk songs among them) within his scheme.

CAST:

Gretel: Lisette Oropesa
Hansel: Tara Erraught
Gertrude: Dolora Zajick
The Witch: Gerhard Siegel
Peter: Quinn Kelsey

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Start time: 10:00 AM on Capital Public Radio.
Approximate running time 2 hrs 15 min