LOS ANGELES—The LA Opera opened this Holiday Season with an imaginative, new production of the children's classic, Engelbert Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel, based on the Brothers Grimm's story. It is a special production designed to be particularly appealing to children as well as adults.
Following Richard Sparks' new English libretto, the new LA Opera's version deviates from its 1893 Munich premiere in that it is brighter in tone, adding humor and warmth.
Soprano Maria Kanyova makes her Company debut as the vivacious Gretel with an extraordinary powerful voice.
Kanyova's performance exhibits, along with her stage brother Hansel, mezzo soprano Lucy Schaufer, an ebullient childlike enthusiasm. Schaufer is the winner of the Vocal Prize at the Aspen Music Festival, and some may remember her as Cherubino in LA Opera's Le Nozze di Figaro.
Making her LA Opera debut is the soprano Luana DeVol, a regular soloist in the major opera houses of Europe, in the role as mother Gertrude. DeVol is first introduced on the projected screen, somewhat intimidating, expressing great concern that Hansel and Gretel have not completed their chores, and quickly sending them into the woods to find something to eat. DeVol shares a beautiful dialogue with the children's father Peter, baritone Donnie Ray Albert, harmonizing as a very charming couple.
Known as one of opera's leading baritones, Albert holds an extensive repertoire, and a discography that includes RCA's Grammy and Grand Prix du Disque winning recording of Porgy and Bess. He will return to the LA Opera in 2007 as Trinity Moses in The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahogonny and Simone in A Florentine Tragedy, a work he has recorded with James Conlon, LA Opera's Music Director.
Lost in the forest and night approaching, Hansel and Gretel increasingly fear their surroundings. Soprano Christine Brandes debuting this season with the LA Opera as Sandman, and contemporaneously as Drusilla in L'Incoronazione di Poppea (The Coronation of Poppea), soothes those fears with a beautiful lullaby putting the children to sleep.
After the restful night, the Dew Fairy, Stacey Tappan, graciously wakes up the children. Tappan also appears this season at the LA Opera as Virtú and Pallade in L'Incoronazione di Poppea.
Generating a lot of laughter is tenor Graham Clark in his Company debut as the Witch. Clark has a peculiarly comical appearance of a big old grandma dressed as a ballerina. He wears an intriguing wig that looked like a hanging plucked chicken with several red bows, but that quickly proved to be simply a "bad hair day".
The strength of this performance lies in its visual effects capturing the audience with intricate set designs by the highly acclaimed visual artist and director Douglas Fitch in his LA Opera debut, as well as by designer Mark Jonathan's efficient lighting enhancing the fairy tale atmosphere.
Fitch brings to life the enchanting forest. In the middle of the woods, and along the streaming lake, is that little cottage with a smoking chimney where Hansel and Gretel live. The inside is very much alive with a straw broomstick (Heather Lipson), chairs (Eddie David Di Maranan and Eric Underwood), and table (Meg Howrey) dancing in human fashion with Hansel and Gretel. The set is transformed into a magical fairy tale with a forest full of colorful mushrooms. The angels, from the original opera, were replaced by uniquely diverse forest spirits, ranging from a gnome to several 12 feet high creatures, having big glowing eyes. Marvelously designed is the Witch's house enticing the children through its appetizingly delicious appearance made of wafers, lollypops, cookies and cream.
Alan Gilbert does a wonderful job as music conductor in his LA Opera debut. He is the first Music Director of the Santa Fe Opera. A special feature is the performance of the Los Angeles Children's Choir led by Artistic Director, Anne Tomlinson.
The Opening matinee included several activities. Special treats awaited the children during the intermission in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion's Grand Hall on the 2 nd Floor. In addition, a special children's reception followed the performance. It included complimentary photos as well as music and dancing hosted by Radio Disney. Gifts, courtesy of Gelson's, awaited the children as they left the theater. In sum, this is a performance that is a true family treat for children and adults alike to enjoy.
Hansel and Gretel runs through December 17 in a two hour performance with one 20 minute intermission. It is sung in English with English supertitles projected above the stage. For information call (213) 972-8001 or go online at www.laopera.com .
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