Post by tmesis on Dec 9, 2018 19:37:40 GMT
I was at the Friend's Dress Rehearsal yesterday.
This is a very enjoyable, family-friendly new production.
It's attractively designed with an idyllic cottage in the woods, atmospheric forest and cute gingerbread house, although it looked a little too 'bricks and mortar' rather than cake construction. The story telling is very straightforward with none of the psycho-drama or darkness of the 80s ENO production. The sumptuous score has many orchestral moments which were filled with attractive 'business' - including a whole parade of other fairy tale characters: Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White and Prince Charming, at the end of Act 2.
Musically it was excellent. Maybe there were slightly too many Wagnerian voices; two of them had been in the recent Ring Cycle, including Gerard Siegel who played the Witch in drag and was more funny than sinister. Hansel and Gretel both blended superbly in their sublime duet but they definitely looked too old, although this is nearly always the case.
It it was beautifully conducted by Sebastian Weigle with the orchestra sounding at their very best.
What a pity Humperdinck didn't really strike musical gold again. This opera is a real gem and the production made me fall in love with it all over again. I'm pleased to say I'll be seeing it again in the New Year.
This is a very enjoyable, family-friendly new production.
It's attractively designed with an idyllic cottage in the woods, atmospheric forest and cute gingerbread house, although it looked a little too 'bricks and mortar' rather than cake construction. The story telling is very straightforward with none of the psycho-drama or darkness of the 80s ENO production. The sumptuous score has many orchestral moments which were filled with attractive 'business' - including a whole parade of other fairy tale characters: Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White and Prince Charming, at the end of Act 2.
Musically it was excellent. Maybe there were slightly too many Wagnerian voices; two of them had been in the recent Ring Cycle, including Gerard Siegel who played the Witch in drag and was more funny than sinister. Hansel and Gretel both blended superbly in their sublime duet but they definitely looked too old, although this is nearly always the case.
It it was beautifully conducted by Sebastian Weigle with the orchestra sounding at their very best.
What a pity Humperdinck didn't really strike musical gold again. This opera is a real gem and the production made me fall in love with it all over again. I'm pleased to say I'll be seeing it again in the New Year.
