Hänsel und Gretel
Our program features Humperdinck's most popular opera: Hänsel und Gretel
Roles
Peter, broom-maker - baritone
Gertrud, his wife - mezzo-soprano
Hansel, their son - mezzo-soprano
Gretel, their daughter - soprano
The Gingerbread Witch - mezzo-soprano
Sandman, the Sleep Fairy - soprano
Dewman, the Dew Fairy - soprano
Chorus of echoes - three sopranos, two altos
July 7th - August 4th
BOA celebrates its season with Hänsel und Gretel
Why perform it?
It's a great piece for focusing on clear German language. The work is performed often in Germany, and invoking the historic cornerstones of theater, is an excellent piece in which to connect the past and future of acting.
History
Humperdinck composed Hänsel und Gretel in Frankfurt in 1891 and 1892. The opera was first performed in Hoftheater in Weimar on 23 December 1893, conducted by Richard Strauss. It has been associated with Christmas since its earliest performances and today it is still most often performed at Christmas time. Humperdinck described it as a Märchenoper (fairy-tale opera). The libretto was written by Humperdinck's sister, Adelheid Wette, based on the Grimm brothers' fairy tale "Hansel and Gretel".
Premiere
Hansel and Gretel was first conducted in Weimar by Richard Strauss in 1893, followed by its Hamburg premiere on 25 September 1894, conducted by Gustav Mahler.
Hänsel und Gretel is frequently performed world wide.