SYNOPSIS
Engelbert Humperdinck's fairy-tale opera “Hänsel und Gretel" was a stage success that has endured to the present day. For the story of the two poor children who get lost in the forest, encounter the gingerbread house and have to stand up to the wicked witch, he created music that is as rich in colour as it is in melody. Few works enjoy such popularity and so many performances as this musical fairy-tale for the whole family. The innovations of Richard Wagner's musical theatre are combined with catchy sounds derived from or related to folk songs – just think of the children's songs "Brüderchen, komm tanz mit mir" and "Suse, liebe Suse, was raschelt im Stroh".
The genesis of the opera was due to a family celebration: Adelheid Wette, the composer's sister, asked him to set to music some songs she had thought for a fairy-tale play. She persuaded Humperdinck to write a ‘singspiel’ version with spoken dialogue, which was followed shortly afterwards by the opera version.
Director Béatrice Lachaussée's popular production is back on the schedule. Chief conductor François-Xavier Roth conducts.
CAST AND CREATIVES
Musikalische Leitung Arne Willimczik / François-Xavier Roth / Harry Ogg / Inszenierung Béatrice Lachaussée / Bühne & Kostüme Dominique Wiesbauer / Licht Andreas Grüter / Video Grégoire Pont / Co-Videodesign Xavier Boyer / Choreografie Annika Wiessner /