Organization

Singer

Mezzo-soprano

Charlotte Badham

Hansel

Soprano

Alys Meredid Roberts

Gretel

Rebecca Afonwy-Jones

The Gingerbread Witch

Sian Roberts

Dewman

Beca Davies

Sandman

Baritone

Philip Smith

Peter

Translator

David Pountney

Conductor

Jonathan Lyness

Stage director

Richard Studer

Set designer

Mid Wales Opera

Orchestra

Sinfonia Cymru

English

Hänsel und Gretel -  (Hansel and Gretel)

Newport, Gwent

United Kingdom

The Riverfront

Llanelli

Ffwrnes

London

Courtyard Theatre

Milford Haven

Torch Theatre

Aberystwyth

Aberystwyth Arts Centre

Brecknock

Theatr Brycheiniog

Bangor

Pontio

Mold

Theatr Clwyd

Newtown

The Hafren

Hänsel und Gretel

Public

Hansel and Gretel

Approved

Mid Wales Opera’s fifth SmallStages tour kicks off our Fairy Tale season with Catalan composer Montsalvatge’s beautifully crafted one-act version of the familiar tale of ‘Puss in Boots’, El Gato con botas.

Premiered in Barcelona in 1948, and rarely performed, this age-old children’s story tells of the wealth-seeking, match-making cat who, in return for a hat, a sword and a pair of boots, secures for his young master (a lowly miller) a kingdom and a royal marriage to a princess, tricking a slow-witted ogre out of his castle along the way. 

From its opening Montsalvatge’s music is energetic, tuneful and full of catchy rhythms, lush melodies and feline musical effects! This new MWO production is perfect for family audiences, and a great way to introduce youngsters to opera. MWO’s production features 5 singers and 5 musicians, singing in English with a new chamber arrangement by Jonathan Lyness. The second half will feature a cabaret-style collection of popular and entertaining musical items featuring all singers and musicians.

Hänsel und Gretel Humperdinck

Mid Wales Opera’s Fairy Tales season culminates in a new production of Humperdinck’s late nineteenth century classic Hansel and Gretel. Based on the Brothers Grimm’s fairytale, two children are banished to the enchanted woods by their hungry, frustrated parents. There, they wander into the clutches of a wicked witch determined to fatten them up and turn them into gingerbread. With only their cunning to protect them, how will they ever escape the oven?

This new production is sung in English with a cast of young professional singers, together with a chorus of children assembled locally for each theatre. Humperdinck’s miraculous score, performed by MWO’s partner orchestra Ensemble Cymru, is given a specially created new reduced orchestration by MWO’s Music Director Jonathan Lyness

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Crew

Ensemble