Hansel and Gretel by Humperdinck, From (2023/2023), Directed by Beka Savić, Conductor Holger Reinhardt, Hessisches Staatstheater, Wiesbaden, Germany

The first seeds for “Hansel and Gretel” were planted by Humperdinck’s sister, Adelheit Wette, who in the 1890s had written a libretto based on the Grimm fairytale. Initially intended only as light Christmas entertainment for her children, she asked her brother to set her texts to music, but later the talented siblings decided to turn this modest family project into a full-scale opera. Since its first performance in 1893 the catchy work has been a huge stage success, delighting many generations of children (and adults!), especially at Christmas time. “Hansel and Gretel” is filled with folk-inspired melodies, such as “Brother, Come and Dance with Me”, “A Little Man Stands in the Forest” and, of course, the “Evening Prayer”. The plot is both a simple children’s story and a fable about love and determination during hard times: Hansel and Gretel grow up in poverty and hardship, with their broom-maker father struggling to make ends meet and support the family. Nevertheless, the siblings frolic noisily around the house, singing and dancing. As punishment for disturbing the peace, the Mother sends them into the forest to look for strawberries. After losing their way in the woods, they are lured to a house made of candy, only to be imprisoned by a vicious witch – who eats children – lurking inside. Through sheer determination the siblings finally free themselves and are reunited with their parents, who rejoice at having them back. The story is touching and exhilarating, simple and profound at the same time, making Wilhelm Grimm’s own words about the typical fairytale ending particularly poignant: “The epic always ends with the commencement of endless joy”. The production by young director Beka Savić is a thrilling adaptation of the fabulous fairytale, suitable for young and old.