Hansel and Gretel: Washington National Opera Open Rehearsal

Engelbert Humperdinck’s

Hansel and Gretel Libretto by Adelheid Wette Conducted by Michael Rossi Directed by Sarah Meyers

Treat yourself to a delicious musical retelling of a famous Grimm fairytale.

In this operatic forest, magic and adventure lurk around every corner— and holiday sweets can have a nasty bite.

David and Alice Rubenstein are the Presenting Underwriters of WNO.

Major support for WNO is provided by Jacqueline Badger Mars.

Presenting Sponsor of Performances for Young Audiences

Performance Guide

open Rehearsal

Cuesheet

washington national opera

About Humperdinck’s

Hansel and Gretel Hansel and Gretel first began as a small family project in 1890. Inspired by the Brothers Grimm story of two children caught in the clutches of an evil witch, the opera started out as a set of four folk tunes by German composer Engelbert Humperdinck with lyrics by his sister, Adelheid. The work then blossomed into a collection of 16 songs with spoken dialogue in between. By 1893, despite health issues that left the composer partially deaf, Humperdinck transformed Hansel and Gretel into a complete opera that included a full orchestra and sungthrough scenes.

When Peter asks where the children are, she tells him she sent them into the woods for misbehaving. Horrified, Peter reminds her there are awful creatures in the forest, including a terrible witch who bakes innocent children so she can devour them. Gertrude and Peter worriedly agree to search for their son and daughter.

The Story In a cottage near the woods, Hansel and Gretel, the children of a poor broommaker and his wife, sit alone doing their daily chores. Hungry and tired, they distract themselves with song and dance—while dreaming of a jug of milk left out for dinner. Soon, their mother Gertrude arrives and scolds the children for not working. As she chases after them, she shatters the jug. Gertrude then furiously sends Hansel and Gretel into the forest to search for berries.

Just as the children leave, their father Peter arrives with happy news: He’s sold enough brooms to bring home plenty of food. Gertrude is overjoyed.

Hansel and Gretel gather berries in the woods.

Deep in the woods, Hansel and Gretel play as they pick—and eat—baskets of berries. They soon realize that night is approaching. As they stumble through the dark, Gretel imagines she can see and hear scary spirits. The children are calmed when a kind and comforting Sandman arrives, promising to watch over them. Hansel and Gretel sing their nightly prayers and fall happily to sleep.

At sunrise, a gentle spirit called the Dew Fairy awakens the children. Hansel and Gretel talk about their beautiful dreams, but are interrupted when Gretel catches sight of a bright and colorful house made entirely of sweets. Unable to resist, Hansel breaks off a piece of the house and begins to eat.

Suddenly, an old woman appears from within the house, asking Hansel and Gretel to join her inside. Thinking the woman is a little too friendly, the children refuse and try to leave. The old woman then reveals herself to be an evil witch and soon casts a spell that leaves Hansel and Gretel under her power. The Witch explains her plan to fatten Hansel so she can bake and eat him and forces Gretel to help her prepare. But can the children outsmart her? Will Father and Mother arrive in time to save them? Though a fairytale ending seems likely, there may be a few twists and turns along the way.

Main Characters Hansel, a young boy (mezzo-soprano) Gretel, his sister (soprano) Peter, their father (baritone) Gertrude, their mother (mezzo-soprano) The Sandman (soprano) The Dew Fairy, a helpful spirit (soprano)

About Engelbert Humperdinck Though German composer Engelbert Humperdinck (1854–1921) showed an early passion for music, his parents forced him to study architecture. Still, his talent was so great a prestigious conservatory took interest in him and he was able to study composing. Humperdinck is known for his many vocal works, and his music is famous for its rich, full-bodied sound, partially inspired by his friend and mentor, Richard Wagner.

About Washington National Opera Originally founded in 1956, Washington National Opera (WNO) ranks as one of today’s largest American opera companies. As an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, WNO presents several operas each year at the Kennedy Center Opera House and performs throughout the city, offering training and enrichment programs year-round. In the past decade, WNO has reached worldwide audiences through international broadcasts.

To learn more about opera visit www.kennedy-center.org/artsedge and click the tag “opera”

The Witch (soprano) all production photos by scott suchman

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT… n Though

not the case in today’s performance, Mother and the Witch are often sung by the same person. Why do you think this is? Is their music at all similar?

n

The part of Hansel is written for a woman with a slightly lower-sounding voice (this is a common operatic practice known as a “pants role”). Why do you think the composer made this choice instead of casting a male singer?

n The

creators made some changes to the original Grimm fairytale when bringing Hansel and Gretel to the opera stage. How does the opera differ from versions of the story you’ve already heard?

WHAT TO WATCH AND LISTEN FOR… n Hansel and Gretel’s

“Evening Prayer” melody, which is one of opera’s favorite tunes.

Can you hear the song repeat itself throughout the opera? How does it change over time? n The

many folk Hansel and Gretel take a break from songs sung by work to sing a song. the characters that use refrains like “tra la la” and are heard several times during the performance (particularly at the very beginning and the very end). Have you heard melodies like this before? Where?

n Musical

sounds that represent specific noises. (Hint: trembling strings for wind and a solo violin for Gretel’s lark in Act III.)

n The

use of color during the performance. How do color changes in the lighting or set design help set the mood or indicate a change in the story?

David M. Rubenstein Chairman Deborah F. Rutter President Mario R. Rossero Senior Vice President, Education

Michael L. Mael Executive Director Francesca Zambello Artistic Director WNO acknowledges the longstanding generosity of Life Chairman Mrs. Eugene B. Casey.

General Dynamics is the Presenting Sponsor of WNO’s 2015-2016 Season.

WNO’s season is presented with the support of Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello.

Events for Students is made possible

by Mr. James V. Kimsey; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; and the U.S. Department of Education.

Major support for educational programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by David and Alice Rubenstein through the Rubenstein Arts Access Program.

Kennedy Center education and related artistic programming is made possible through the generosity of the National Committee for the Performing Arts and the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts.

www.kennedy-center.org/artsedge Cuesheets are produced by ARTSEDGE, an education program of the Kennedy Center.

Learn more about Education at the Kennedy Center at www.kennedy-center.org/education The contents of this Cuesheet have been developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education and do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

© 2015 The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts