Humperdinck: Hänsel und Gretel (2008)
• November 18th, 2008 • 1h 38min
Music
Overview
Johannes Felsenstein’s production of HANSEL AND GRETEL presents it with every sinister element removed. The children remain in a home setting with their own bed central to the scene and the barest hint of a forest behind, while their father plays the witch as an amiable, totally benevolent figure, not sinister at all, even joining them in the final joyful ensemble. When they sing that the witch is dead, you find that the production contradicts that completely. Taking that unsinister stance means that the opera loses much of its bite. No doubt Felsenstein felt that it would make the piece more accessible for very young children, though many of them relish the sinister element. That said, it is a strong and capable performance, very well conducted and with a cast of good if not outstanding singers. One wonders what Felsenstein meant to convey, just as it is not clear why the central characters should regularly be carrying dolls. A highly individual version of a much-loved opera.
Make sure to check your pop-up blocker!!
Trailer
Similar Movies
Carmen in 3D
Released on: 2011-03-05
Music, Drama
Passion, jealousy and betrayal take center stage at Londons Royal Opera House in a spectacular produ...
The Miracle of Heliane
Released on: 2019-06-14
Music
The first-ever audio-visual recording of this opera – directed by Christof Loy, conducted by Marc Al...
The Court Jester
Released on: 1955-12-24
Music, Adventure, Comedy
A hapless carnival performer masquerades as the court jester as part of a plot against a usurper who...
Mozart: Così Fan Tutte (Zurich Opera House)
Released on: 2000-07-05
Music
A production of Mozart's opera recorded live at Zurich Opera House in 2000. Cecilia Bartoli leads an...
Cosi Fan Tutte
Released on: 1989-07-04
Music
Officers Ferrando and Guglielmo are certain that their lovers Dorabella and Fiordiligi are faithful ...
Ariadne auf Naxos
Released on: 2012-09-01
Music, Drama
Starring Jonas Kaufmann as Bacchus and featuring Emily Magee with Daniel Harding conducting the Vien...
The Phantom of the Opera
Released on: 1925-06-29
Horror, Music
The deformed Phantom who haunts the Paris Opera House causes murder and mayhem in an attempt to make...
Ciro in Babilonia
Released on: 2012-07-19
Music
The Biblical story of Belshazzar's hubristic arrogance, set against the valour of the young warrrior...
The Twisted Slipper
Released on: 2015-02-28
Comedy, Music
With the help of his Fairy Drag Mother, a young barista breaks out of the humdrum of his hipster cof...
Verdi Aida
Released on: 2015-04-03
Music
Originally commissioned to celebrate the completion of the Suez Canal and the opening of Cairos new ...
Traviata – You deserve a better future
Released on: 2019-04-07
Music
The audience is invited into Violetta’s privacy to have a close look at the fire to which she abando...
Mitridate Re Di Ponto
Released on: 2006-03-01
Music
The definitive version of this rare opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The costume and set design is ...
L’Italiana in Algeri
Released on: 1987-12-01
Music
Live performance from the Schwetzinger Festspiele, 1987. At the age of 21, Italian composer Giacchin...
Richard Wagner: Tannhäuser
Released on: 2004-11-16
Drama, Music
Witness the Zurich Opera's stunning production of Richard Wagner's masterpiece "Tannhauser," conduct...
Figaros Hochzeit
Released on: 1949-11-25
Romance, Music, Comedy
Shortly after WWII, the DEFA Studios produced a series of operas and operettas which belonged to the...
The Great Waltz
Released on: 1955-11-04
TV Movie, Music
Johann Strauss, Jr., a would-be composer of waltzes in mid-19th Century Vienna, attempts to thwart h...
Die Tote Stadt
Released on: 2009-01-29
Music, Drama
"Die tote Stadt" is a psychologically layered drama with Hitchcock-like features, about Paul who, af...
Mozart: Don Giovanni
Released on: 2021-08-07
Music
Premiered in 1787, “Don Giovanni” exposes the timeless theme of a man hovering between vitality and ...