Norm Hollingshead previews ‘Hansel and Gretel’
Published 6:35 pm Friday, October 7, 2016
Opera aficionado Norm Hollingshead will preview “Hansel and Gretel” — Engelbert Humperdinck’s impressive adaptation of the classic Grimm fairy tale — in a special talk at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8 at the Bainbridge Public Library.
The presentation is free.
For more information, call 206-842-4162 or visit www.krl.org.
About the show
Engelbert Humperdinck’s masterpiece returns after 23 years to the Seattle Opera from Oct. 15 to Oct. 30 at McCaw Hall.
This edgy version from the vivid imagination of French stage director Laurent Pelly presents a thrilling quest ending not in a gingerbread house, but in a supermarket with a checkout lady from hell.
“‘Hansel and Gretel’ is a remarkable opera, but its well-known storyline is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Seattle Opera General Director Aidan Lang. “The whole work is supported by an orchestral score of Wagnerian sumptuousness that combines the simplicity of folksongs with passages of thrilling splendor. It is a feast for the ears and the eyes.”
In this 21st century tale of temptation and excess, Hansel and Gretel live in a giant cardboard box set against a toxic sky, go searching for strawberries for their family meal, and then get lost in a forest of dead trees and litter. After being captured, they must go head-to-head with a Witch, the one who presides over a free-for-all supermarket packed with high-sugar treats. There’s a happy outcome for all, save for the one intent on fattening up little children!
Included in the two outstanding casts of “Hansel and Gretel” are five former Young Artists whose careers began at Seattle Opera, as well as one artist making his company debut, and the return of beloved singers who’ve previously performed at McCaw Hall.
Ashley Emerson returns to Seattle as Gretel following her debut as Young Amelia in the world premiere of “Amelia” (2010). The frequent performer at Metropolitan Opera performs opposite Sasha Cooke as Hansel, who made her mainstage debut as Meg Page in “Falstaff,” 2010.
The other cast stars Issaquah native Anya Matanovic as Gretel, who most recently performed at McCaw Hall as Marzelline in “Fidelio,” 2012. She sings opposite Sarah Larsen as Hansel. Larsen last performed here as The Composer in “Ariadne auf Naxos,” 2015.
In the role of the Witch is John Easterlin, a Grammy and Emmy Award-winner and professional magician, who comes to McCaw Hall after recently performing in “Phantom of the Opera” on Broadway; as well as Peter Marsh, star of European opera houses making his company debut. All performances include Marcy Stonikas (Ariadne, “Ariadne auf Naxos”; Tosca in “Tosca”) as Gertrude the mother; Mark Walters (Don Giovanni, “Don Giovanni”) as Peter, the father; and Amanda Opuszynski (Barbarina, “The Marriage of Figaro”) as Sandman/Dew Fairy.
Maestro Sebastian Lang-Lessing returns to conduct this masterpiece following “The Flying Dutchman.” The rest of the creative team: stage director/costume designer Laurent Pelly; set designer Barbara De Limburg; and lighting designer Joël Adam make company debuts.
“Hansel and Gretel” premieres Saturday, Oct. 15. Tickets are available online at seattleopera.org or by calling 206-389-7676 or 800-426-1619.
