Hansel and Gretel

Semperoper Dresden, Dresden, Germany

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Important Info

Type: Opera

City: Dresden, Germany

Starts at: 18:00

Acts: 3

Intervals: 1

Duration: 2h 15min

Sung in: German

Titles in: German,English

Cast

Performers

Soprano: Christina Gansch (Gretel)

Orchestra: Staatskapelle Dresden

Choir: Children's Choir of the Semperoper Dresden

Mezzo-Soprano: Christa Mayer (Gertrud)

Soprano: Evelyn Herlitzius (The Witch)

Conductor: John Fiore

Bass-Baritone: Markus Marquardt (Peter)

Soprano: Nicole Chirka (Hansel)

Creators

Composer: Engelbert Humperdinck

Librettist: Adelheid Wette

Author: Brothers Grimm

Childrens Chorus Director: Claudia Sebastian-Bertsch

Director: Katharina Thalbach

Overview

In the fairytale forest, we encounter the familiar figures of the poor siblings who have lost their way as well as the Gingerbread Witch.

The story comes to a head in the famous edible house, which is sweet on the outside but a death trap within. In 1893 Engelbert Humperdinck transformed the tale by the Brothers Grimm into a work which is probably the most famous fairy-tale opera in the repertoire. In this production by Katharina Thalbach, the action is enlivened by additional figures from Grimms’ fairy tales to create a brilliant show for the whole family. Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White and the Big Bad Wolf take children and adults on a musical journey that ends with the fall of the Witch’s realm and the victory of good over evil, proclaimed by the gingerbread children: "We’re saved, we’re freed, for ever more".

History

Premiere of this production: 23 December 1893, Hoftheater in Weimar

Hansel and Gretel is an opera by nineteenth-century composer Engelbert Humperdinck, who 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". It is much admired for its folk music-inspired themes, one of the most famous being the "Abendsegen" ("Evening Benediction") from act 2.

Venue Info

Semperoper Dresden - Dresden
Theaterplatz 2

Not only one of the most beautiful opera houses in the world, the Semperoper is renowned both in Germany and abroad for the brilliant star-studded performances by Saxon State Opera as well as numerous international guest artists.

This is the home of the Staatskapelle Dresden, an orchestra which looks back on 460 years of uninterrupted music-making. The State Opera Chorus was founded by Carl Maria von Weber in 1817. Operatic history has been written here, with the Semperoper playing host to numerous important premieres, such as Richard Wagner’s "Rienzi", "Der fliegende Holländer" and "Tannhäuser". There is also an indissoluble link to Richard Strauss, nine of whose 15 operas were premiered in Dresden, including "Salome", "Der Rosenkavalier" and "Elektra". The small venue Semper Zwei provides space for diverse forms of music theatre as well as theatrical experiments, and is also the venue for performances of Semperoper Junge Szene.

The magnificent Semperoper dominates the Theaterplatz be-side the river Elbe, forming the centrepiece of the historic old city. The original building opened its doors in 1841, constructed to a design by Gottfried Semper which combined a late Classical style with Renaissance elements. Following a devastating fire in 1869, the citizens of Dresden immediately set about rebuilding their beloved opera house. This was completed in 1878, also to a design by Semper. In 1945, during the final months of World War II, the Semperoper was once again razed to the ground.

After a second reconstruction was successfully completed in 1985, the reopening of one of Europe’s most beautiful opera houses was celebrated with a performance of Carl Maria von Weber’s "Freischütz".
The dazzling interiors were painstakingly reconstructed by local craftsmen and artists according to original plans, with state-of-the art stage machinery and technical fittings in the auditorium. A modern annex was added to house the administrative offices and rehearsal rooms. Internationally renowned for its brilliant acoustics and incomparable performances, audiences from around the world continue to flock here to enjoy unforgettable experiences at the Semperoper Dresden.