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Hansel and Gretel, by Engelbert Humperdinck
OTNV's 2007-08 Family Opera was a production of Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel. With glorious music, this adaptation of the famous Grimm's fairy tale has everyone living happily ever after--even the witch!
Cast:
Elaine Dalbo, Hansel
Katherine Osborne, Gretel
Sarah Philippa, Mother/Witch
Wade Thomas, Father
Kathy Hankins, Sandman/Fairy
John Edward Niles, Artistic Director/Conductor
Joe Banno, Stage Director
The following review appeared in the Washington Post on October 16, 2007.
There are few operas as family-friendly as Engelbert Humperdinck's "Hansel and Gretel." Although it is the most Wagnerian of all children's operas -- Humperdinck was Wagner's assistant and his son's music tutor -- it has warmth and sweetness that make it far less grim than the Grimm fairy tale on which it is based.
The new production by Opera Theatre of Northern Virginia is a perky one, sung in English and set for some reason in the 1950s, when modest suburban houses apparently had dark witch-filled woods nearby. It's compressed to one hour, preceded by a chance to watch the stage being set up, and followed by a question-and-answer period. Sunday's performance at Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre in Arlington had plenty to offer novice opera-goers. Director Joe Banno kept the action (and scenery) moving briskly, and John Edward Niles conducted a chamber group -- string quintet, woodwind quartet and piano -- with enthusiasm.
Soprano Katherine Osborne was bouncy and bright-voiced as Gretel, and mezzo-soprano Elaine Dalbo made a playful Hansel. Soprano Sarah Philippa was both the harassed mother and the farcical witch -- with huge nose, purple wig, rolling-pin wand and a vacuum cleaner to ride. Baritone Wade Thomas was a strong, stolid father. And soprano Kathy Hankins made the nighttime Sandman and morning Dew Fairy equally silly. Unfortunately, the cast's words were not always audible -- apparently a problem with sound rather than enunciation.
A nine-member chorus of local children brought brightness onstage at every appearance, even when moving scenery.
The performance will be repeated Saturday at 4 and 7 p.m.