The MSU Opera Theatre has produced another celebration of opera, this time with a fairy-tale tone: Englebert Humperdink's Hansel and Gretel. It’s in English, with super-titles that are still helpful/needed to get every word, some of which are silly and fun in Cori Elison’s modern translation. It is a little over two hours, including intermission, so not ideal for preschoolers, but older children will appreciate the spirited brother/sister antics of the fabled siblings, under the able direction of Melanie Helton. A synopsis of the story is included in the program.
We are first struck by the luxurious MSU Symphony Orchestra of 44, under the direction of Steven Mosteller, filling the room with the beautiful overture. Then the evocative sets emerge (Elinore Loomis), with moving projections (Peter Johnston), humble home, spooky forest, and seductive cookie house — with ominous oven in the yard (complete with flickering “fire” in the window) — wonderful to behold.
Frosting on the cookie are the talented youth groups adding to the magical tale: “Gingerbread Children” from the MSU Children’s Chorus and and “Angels” from the Capital Ballet Theatre are adorable and talented.
As usual, there is a double cast - We saw Laura Broscow and Suzanna Feldkamp as Gretel and Hansel, with Mother, Anna Montgomery; Father, Gabriel Reitmeier; Witch, Jenna Buck; Sandman, Juliana Rowley; and Dew Fairy, Quinn Rulison — all have magnificent voices and reveled in their characters.
Hansel and Gretel continues through Sunday (No Saturday Show)
8pm Friday and 3pm, Sunday in Fairchild Theatre — the “back” of MSU Auditorium Building, corner of Farm Lane and Auditorium.
http://music.msu.edu/event-listing/hansel-and-gretel-by-engelbert-humperdinck
We are first struck by the luxurious MSU Symphony Orchestra of 44, under the direction of Steven Mosteller, filling the room with the beautiful overture. Then the evocative sets emerge (Elinore Loomis), with moving projections (Peter Johnston), humble home, spooky forest, and seductive cookie house — with ominous oven in the yard (complete with flickering “fire” in the window) — wonderful to behold.
Frosting on the cookie are the talented youth groups adding to the magical tale: “Gingerbread Children” from the MSU Children’s Chorus and and “Angels” from the Capital Ballet Theatre are adorable and talented.
As usual, there is a double cast - We saw Laura Broscow and Suzanna Feldkamp as Gretel and Hansel, with Mother, Anna Montgomery; Father, Gabriel Reitmeier; Witch, Jenna Buck; Sandman, Juliana Rowley; and Dew Fairy, Quinn Rulison — all have magnificent voices and reveled in their characters.
Hansel and Gretel continues through Sunday (No Saturday Show)
8pm Friday and 3pm, Sunday in Fairchild Theatre — the “back” of MSU Auditorium Building, corner of Farm Lane and Auditorium.
http://music.msu.edu/event-listing/hansel-and-gretel-by-engelbert-humperdinck
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