Humperdinck - Hansel and Gretel (Kirchschlager, Damrau, ROH, Colin Davis, 2008) (320kbps .mp3)

When Engelbert Humperdinck's sister asked him to write music based on Hansel and Gretel for her children to sing at Christmas, she started her brother on the path to one of the most enduring and best-loved operatic classics.

After its 1893 premiere, Humperdinck's fairy-tale opera immediately became a holiday season perennial. In a seamless thread of memorable tunes, the perfectly crafted, lush post-Wagnerian score (which never takes itself too seriously) effortlessly evokes the careless joys and dreams of childhood, as well its darkest fears. And, of course, in the end the none-too-frightening forces of evil are triumphantly overcome.

In this archive recording of the acclaimed 2008 Royal Opera House production, a starry cast is headed by Angelika Kirchschlager and Diana Damrau as the siblings at the heart of the Grimm tale, Thomas Allen is their hapless father and, in one of her signature roles, Anja Silja plays the Witch. Strauss and Mahler were among the first conductors to champion Hansel and Gretel and it was a great favourite, too, of Sir Colin Davis who was in the pit for this performance.



Presented by Suzy Klein in conversation with John Deathridge.

Interval
Including novelist and cultural historian Marina Warner who explores the background, evolution and continuing resonances of the Grimm fairy tale.

Hansel......Angelika Kirchschlager (mezzo-soprano)
Gretel......Diana Damrau (soprano)
Gertrud......Elizabeth Connell (soprano)
Peter......Thomas Allen (baritone)
Witch ......Anja Silja (soprano)
Sandman/Echo......Pumeza Matshikiza (soprano)
Dew Fairy/Echo......Anita Watson (soprano)
Tiffin Boys' Choir
Tiffin Children's Chorus
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Colin Davis (conductor)

Image: © Bill Cooper / ROH 2008
Broadcast: December 25th 2021
Performed: 2008