Hänsel & Gretel

A Fairytale Opera
Die Märchenhafte Operncompagnie


Hänsel und Gretel is perhaps the most well known fairy tale in Europe. At least as well known are also the songs "Suse liebe Suse was raschelt im Stroh" and "Brüderchen komm tanz mit mir" less known is the fact that it was composed by Engelbert Humperdinck. By composing this Opera, he created one of the most beautiful and most loved operas for children.
Engelbert Humperdinck (1854-1921) who wrote Hansel and Gretel was born in Germany in 1854. In the 1890s, his sister, Adelheid Wette, had written a libretto based on the Grimm fairy tale, and asked her brother to set it to music as a Christmas entertainment for her children. Later, Engelbert and Adelheid decided to turn this modest home project into a full-scale opera. Hansel and Gretel premiered on December 23, 1893 at Weimar. It was an instant hit and remains an everlasting masterpiece. The composer Richard Strauss, who was the conductor for the premiere, called it "a masterwork of the first rank."
Four singers, a pianist and a narrator sing, act and tell the story to invite young and old to experience this well known fairy tale.

The stage designer Tina Zimmermann developed for the stage a video concept where hand-drawn and computer-animated scenes are rear -projected on two screens which support the classical music and plot in a modern way.

Cast & Crew:

Hänsel: Marie Giroux,

Gretel: Norina Kutz,

Witch/Mother: Tersia Potgieter, Father: Thomas Schumann,
Narrator: Gunda AurichPianist: Ronald HeroldDirector: Gunda AurichStage
Design: Tina Zimmermann
Costumes: Heike Jänichen

Hänsel & Gretel
A Fairytale Opera
Die Märchenhafte Operncompagnie

Venue: President’s Palace Courtyard – Valletta

Dates: 6th & 7th July
Time: 21:30

Admission: €10

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