Minnesota Opera is pleased to announce its new production of Humperdinck's
Hansel and Gretel directed by Doug Varone and conducted by Anne Manson. The opera features mezzo-soprano Stephanie Lauricella and soprano Angela Mortellaro in the title roles, accompanied by the Zenon Dance Company.
Based on the Brothers Grimm classic, this beloved fairy tale whips together frothy folk tunes with sumptuous orchestration into a deceptively sweet, deliciously dark confection that has delighted families for generations. Minnesota Opera's new production of Engelbert Humperdinck's enduring masterpiece is appropriate for grown ups and children who aren't afraid of the dark.
Award-winning stage director and choreographer
Doug Varone (
Faust, 2009;
Cinderella,2010) returns to lead this new Minnesota Opera production. Instead of the traditional gingerbread house, Varone sets the production in an impoverished urban area in the early 20th century where the children are irresistibly drawn to a beautiful and strange carnival world. Varone choreographs the Zenon Dance Company, whose dancers are featured as mysterious and intriguing circus-like performers.
Anne Manson (
The Adventures of Pinocchio, 2009; Mary Stuart, 2011) returns to conduct the Minnesota Opera Orchestra. Hailed by
The New York Times as "the conductor of choice for opera," Manson has come to the forefront as one of the most exciting interpreters of opera in America today.
Former Minnesota Opera Resident Artist soprano
Angela Mortellaro (
The Dream of Valentino, 2014) performed opposite mezzo-soprano
Stephanie Lauricella (debut) in
Hansel and Gretel at Sarasota Opera in 2010.
South Florida Classical Review called Mortellaro "... an exceptionally convincing Gretel ...singing with a rich, youthful soprano voice and strongly conveying Gretel's terror at being lost ..." and praised Lauricella who "... gracefully stepped into the role of Hansel...displaying a fine high mezzo, and bringing apt rambunctious androgyny to the role". Bass-baritone
Craig Irvin (
Arabella, 2013) sings the role of Hansel and Gretel's poor father. Irvin debuted with Minnesota Opera in 2011 as Lieutenant Horstmayer in the world premiere of Kevin Puts' Pulitzer Prize-winning
Silent Night. Internationally renowned as a leading Verdi mezzo-soprano,
Marianne Cornetti(
Aida, 1999) stars as the mother and the evil witch. What:
Hansel and Gretel by composer Engelbert Humperdinck. Sung in German with English translations projected above the stage. A new Minnesota Opera production.
Where: Music Theater at Ordway, 345 Washington Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102.
When: Tonight, November 1, 7:30pm; Sunday, November 2, 2pm; Thursday, November 6, 7:30pm; Saturday, November 8, 7:30pm; Sunday, November 9, 2pm
Tickets: $25 - $200. Call the Minnesota Opera Ticket Office at 612-333-6669, Monday -Friday, 10am-5pm, or purchase online at mnopera.org.
Visit mnop.co/hansel to find casting updates, creative team and artist biographies, audio and video clips, show synopses, and background notes.
