Admin

Organization

Singer

Mezzo-soprano

Katerziana Kunzio

Hansel

Iryna Vakula

Annika Kaschenz

Soprano

Heidi Elisabeth Meier

Gretel

Lavinia Dames

Inga-Britt Andersson

Sarah Ferede

Gertrude

Renée Morloc

Baritone

Stefan Heidemann

Peter

Bruno Balmelli

Johannes Preissinger

The Gingerbread Witch

Bruce Rankin

Wolfgang Schmidt

Cornel Frey

Monika Rydzkowski

Sandman

Maria Popa

Stephanie Lesch

Dewman

Ani Tsartsidze

Linda Hergarten

Conductor

Axel Kober

Lukas Beikircher

Stage director

Andreas Meyer-Hanno

Esther Mertel

Costume designer

Inge Diettrich

Set designer

Gerda Zientek

Deutsche Oper am Rhein

German

Hänsel und Gretel -  (Hansel and Gretel)

Dusseldorf

Germany

Opernhaus Düsseldorf

Hänsel und Gretel

Hansel and Gretel

Approved

“It is actually a story for children, but we are all children at heart,” Engelbert Humperdinck (1854–1921) is said to have said. He has created a fairy tale opera par excellence, which not only stands out because of its events, but also because of its successful mixture of late romantic orchestral language and folk melodies such as "Suse, dear Suse", "Brother, come dance with me" or "A little man is standing in the Walde" enjoyed great popularity among all generations. While the older ones reminisce and feel reminded of their childhood, the youngest viewers are particularly curious to see how the two poor broom-maker children will succeed in outwitting the witch Rosina Leckermaul and freeing the enchanted gingerbread children. It's like a fairy tale. Andreas Meyer-Hanno's production of "Hänsel und Gretel" has been on the program of the Deutsche Oper am Rhein since 1969. This proves how popular Engelbert Humperdinck's opera still is and what degree of nostalgia it harbors. Every production is subject to wear and tear over decades in the repertoire business - be it that stage elements and costumes wear out or the choreography of some scenes deviates from the "original". In the era of Grischa Barfuss, the production was completely revised in 1978. Director Esther Mertel lovingly reconstructed and rehearsed “Hänsel und Gretel” in the 2015/16 season using the stage design sketches, costume figures and photos of the premiere. Lighting options have also changed over the last forty years. Based on old recordings and using new means, Volker Weinhart has developed a fairytale lighting concept so that the production loved by young and old can shine in new splendour. Fairy tale play in three pictures Text by Adelheid Wette based on the Brothers Grimm In German with surtitles Duration: approx. 2 hours, one break Recommended for ages 8 and up Musical director: Axel Kober Staging: Andreas Meyer-Hanno New scenic production: Esther Mertel Stage: Gerda Zientek Costumes: Inge Diettrich Lighting: Volker Weinhart Children's Choir: Mathias Staut Hänsel: Katarzyna Kuncio Gretel: Heidi Elisabeth Meier Gertrud: Sarah Ferede Peter: Bruno Balmelli Witch: Johannes Preißinger Sandmännchen: Monika Rydz Taumännchen: Monika Rydz Düsseldorf Girls' and Boys' Choir Düsseldorf Symphony Orchestra Video: Ralph Goertz © Deutsche Oper am Rhein

Hansel and Gretel by Humperdinck, From (2015/2016), Directed by Andreas Meyer-Hanno, Esther Mertel,, Conductor Axel Kober, Lukas Beikircher, Opernhaus Düsseldorf, Dusseldorf, Germany

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Crew

Program, About & Synopsis

Videos

Photos

Further reading

Performance Dates & Venues

Venues