João e Maria by Humperdinck, sex 09 dez 2022, De (2022/2022), Dirigido por Marius Adam,, Regente Ettore Prandi, Allee Theater, Hamburgo, Alemanha

It is said that the Humperdinck family performed the opera "Hansel and Gretel" every year for the holidays as a Christmas play. Engelbert Humperdinck wrote it together with his sister Adelheid Wette, who wrote the text based on the collection of fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm. For generations, Grimm's fairy tales have been an integral part of our children's rooms, and neither has Humperdinck's ingenious setting from the opera stages of this world! Some may even have taken their first step into the fascinating world of opera with this piece. Hansel and Gretel grow up in need and deprivation, there is not enough to eat, and their father struggles to earn a little money. Nevertheless, the siblings romp around the apartment, singing and dancing - and as punishment their mother sends them into the forest to collect berries. They get lost, are caught by the witch and finally free themselves on their own. Parents and children hug each other with relief when they find each other again. The story is touching and exhilarating, simple and profound at the same time. Like no other opera, "Hänsel and Gretel" captivates children as much as adults. Engelbert Humperdinck was a master at combining Wagnerian influences with echoes of the early Romantic operatic tradition and folk-song components: Humperdinck skilfully wove well-known songs such as "Ein Männlein wird im Walde" and "Suse,liebe Suse" into his work. Others - like "Brüderchen, komm tanz mit mir" and the "Abendsegen" - became new folk songs with the opera. And when the angels step in after the famous evening prayer, then you know: It can be Christmas.