Hansel and Gretel (2008) Opening

The opening to the Met's new production of Hansel and Gretel (opera by Humperdinck) starring Alice Coote and Christine Schafer.

Fact: They are the most adorable things on this planet.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• hansel
• gretel
• alice
• coote
• christine
• schafer
• engelbert
• humperdinck
• opera

[cla45e]

bullshit. why can't they sing it in the original language in german? it's as if i'd sing le nozze di figaro in afrikaans, just because i'm (or the viewers?) are tooooo ignorant ot learn it properly.

[Prettylittlepicture]

Keep in mind that, while it was not exclusively for children, this opera was marketed as good family fare, and that might be another reason why they opted for English. It's clearly not because they assume all audience members are too ignorant to appreciate the German libretto.

[Sochilinda]

Where did you get this videos?? there is a new DVD of this production??

[Prettylittlepicture]

It was broadcast on PBS and I transfered it from my DVR to a DVD

[baculkar]

Thats Magic!!! Can you post more!!!

[Prettylittlepicture]

Definitely! Evening Prayer is coming soon.

[ftumschk]

The original German lyrics are unlikely to win the Goethe Prize either ;)

Personally, I like this translation. The staging is excellent also - too often H&G is given as a syrupy "pantomime", but in Richard Jones' thought-provoking production, it's not just the witch who gets something to chew on. Something for all ages, too - I took my young nephews to see the show, and they were as transfixed by it as they were by The Wizard of Oz.

[beteltree]

I agree with FrankJared. Schäfer is perfectly clear to me. I have heard native speakers sing in English less well. The night I saw this at the Met, my seat did not allow for the best sound, both Coote and Schäfer took a little while for my ears to adjust. Then it was marvelous! My sister and I were never so adorable together...

[AliceElphabaWonka]

Why do i always here a different start of the song, a different one is the "suzie little suzie" version??

[Sh4dowr]

OMFG i played in that opera i was one of the ginger bread children

[wickedfeylady]

K.D. Lang IS Hansel!

J/K, sorry... this is actually really cool

[sportacus5928]

Thank you for your great comment....

I have never ever ever thought i would be interested or even liked opera until seeing this great version in english.

singing in a native language is not just for children but allows for perhaps ignorant people like me to be drawn in and gain an interest in opera as a whole.

This is a great opera and yes lyrically maybe poor to the more accumstamed opera enthusiasts but it is super fun and i think that is all it is meant to be.... fun and enjoyable x x x

[musikenergy]

I think the reason they do it in English is for the children. if it were for adults who understand subtitles, it would be different. I say, if it gets children interested or exposed to opera, why not do it in English. Remember who this is catering to. This isn't Le Nozze di Figaro. LOL!

[cdyexhibit]

I wonder if you would think that Schäfer's diction is perfectly clear if there were no surtitles to read as she sings. The fact of the matter is, I was at the premiere of this production, and more than a few people were complaining that they had no idea what she was saying.

[GregOpera]

It is fun to hear it in english. I wish they would do more operas in native language. BUT: The production is awful. It seems to be popular today to take a composer's creation and twist it into something totally unrecognizable from the original libretto.

[owenboi66]

Amazing. Two adult opera singers actually acting and looking like children without being coy or twee! Brilliant!

[MikadoObsessed]

i agree.

i was in the chorus of one production in indianapolis and had to do it in german.

the english lyrics are cheesy

[rrobicon]

My daughter and I thought they were good fun, both being familiar with the German original, which is hardly the world's most fabulous libretto

[HouseOnSunset]

Am I the only who finds the English lyrics godawfuL?

[FrankJared]

Interesting. I thought Schafer's was diction was clear as a bell.

[cdyexhibit]

I saw this at the Met: Alice Coote was fantastic, but Christine Schafer was entirely unintelligible. Not sure what could possibly inspire someone to cast a non-native-English -speaker in an opera in an English translation.

[TraveltoMexico]

The witch was my favorite, too!

[Animesia2]

I saw that special. Do you have the rest you only have two parts loaded.

[beteltree]

Adorable!

[KatherineXIX]

Do you have the prayer duet?

[divalissima05]

Could you post any of the witch! my favorite :) thanks so much!

[baculkar]

Thank you!! but can you post Father song, a Finale in three act too??