Review: HANSEL AND GRETEL, Opera Holland Park

As a first taster to opera, Opera Holland Park’s new rendering of Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel isn’t a bad place to start.

Children – and adults for that matter – will recognise The Brothers Grimm fairy tale involving a poor and angry mother sending her children into the forest to pick strawberries after a spilt milk incident.

Following a scary night lost in the woods, Hansel and Gretel discover a gingerbread house covered in tempting sweetmeats. The downside is its owner’s a wicked witch who wants to devour them. Eventually, the witch is overcome and the kids are reunited with their apologetic parents.

First performed in 1893 at the Hoftheater in Weimar and conducted by Richard Strauss, Hansel and Gretel is usually associated with Christmas. An interesting choice for a hot summer’s evening then, but Opera Holland Park is renowned for mixing things up – blockbuster favourites alongside new operas and those not performed often.

There’s a travellers’ vibe in Hansel and Gretel’s crooked caravan on wheels, apparel in distressed Farrow and Ball tones, and a brass bed littered with colourful quilts. This simple, poverty-ridden existence contrasts with a dream-like world of woodland animals, fairies and angels.

Conductor Karin Hendrickson’s handling of Humperdinck’s rich and romantic score results in a superb performance by City of London Sinfonia. There’s a relatively small number of orchestral players, but the depth of sound evoked presumes something larger. Particularly worthy of note are Mark Paine’s horn solos and Jonathan Parkin on clarinet.

A standout moment is the arrival of Peter – Hansel and Gretel’s broom-maker father – on a bicycle, resounding with absolute authority. Paul Carey Jones’ booming baritone gives the production added texture.

Gretel (played by strong soprano Laura Lolita Peresivana) and Hansel’s (an energetic Charlotte Badham) capture the audience with their bedtime prayer duet at the end of Act II.

At the end of the day, music trumps presentation. This Hansel and Gretel’s a traditional, delicious dessert, but lacking the magic of spicy staging. The choreography’s a bit am-dram and blocks of wood representing the forest rather ho-hum. Also, the lighting could be more spine-tingling, so we are really afraid of the big bad witch and things that go bump in the night.

Although this menu is somewhat uneven, it’s still a great appetiser for those new to opera. And for opera lovers in general.

There’s so much to love at Opera Holland Park ­– a kind of country house opera in the centre of town. With no public funding and a terrific team of people scurrying around in the background to make things happen, do book a seat and sample its fare.

Hansel and Gretel is at Opera Holland Park until 23 June

Photo Credit: Ali Wright

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