Engelbert Humperdinck (1854 - 1921)
Fairytale play in three pictures
Libretto: Adelheid Wette, after the fairy tale from the "Kinder- und Hausmärchen" by the Brothers Grimm
First performance: 1893 in Weimar
As a Christmas play, it is said that the Humperdinck family performed the opera "Hänsel und Gretel" every year at the holidays. Engelbert Humperdinck wrote it together with his sister Adelheid Wette, who wrote the text based on the Brothers Grimm's collection of fairy tales. Since its premiere in 1893, the catchy work has taken stages by storm, delighting many generations of children (and adults!), especially at Christmas time. "Hänsel und Gretel" is full of melodies from nursery rhymes: "Brüderchen, komm tanz mit mir", "E Männlein steht im Walde" and the "Abendsegen".
The plot is both a story for children and a fable about love in hard times: Hansel and Gretel grow up in hardship and deprivation, there is not enough to eat, and their father struggles to earn a little money. Nevertheless, the siblings frolic through the apartment, sing and dance - and as punishment are sent by their mother into the forest, where they are supposed to gather berries. They get lost, are caught by the witch and finally free themselves under their own power. Parents and children alike fall into each other's arms in relief when they have each other back.
The story is touching and delightful, simple and profound at the same time. It beautifully redeems Wilhelm Grimm's words about the typical fairy tale, "the epic always ends by opening an endless joy." The opera based on the famous fairy tale is lovingly retold by young director Beka Savić in a production for young and old.
Text source and more information about this event: http://www.staatstheater-wiesbaden.de/programm/spielplan/2018-12/haensel-und-gretel-2016-2017/4582/
