UNL Opera presents Engelbert Humperdinck’s “Hansel & Gretel” Nov. 14-16. The classic Grimm fairy tale comes to life in Humperdinck’s lush, 19th century romantic score.
Full-orchestra performances will be presented on Friday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 16 at 2 p.m. Shortened piano-only performances (especially suited for younger children) will be on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. All performances are in Kimball Recital Hall.
Tickets for the full performances are $20 adults and $10 seniors and students. Tickets for the shortened piano-only performances are $5 adults and $3 seniors and students. Tickets must be purchased in advance at https://go.unl.edu/hanseltickets.
“’Hansel & Gretel’ is a fairytale about two children who are banished to the woods, become lost, are captured by the sweets-loving Nibble Witch and manage to break free—but it has elements that are very real, too. It’s also about resilience when faced with hardship and the close, loving bond between siblings,” said Emma Heaton, a graduate student in vocal pedagogy from Toronto, Canada.
She plays Hansel.
“Hansel is a little boy, probably about 8 or 9 years old,” she said. “As a young woman, it’s an interesting challenge to play a boy and to imagine myself being a little child again. It’s common in opera—mezzo sopranos (and some sopranos) are often asked to play young boys. These roles are called ‘trouser roles.’ Some things I really like about Hansel are his curiosity, his joy and his bravery.”
Emma Heaton loves how this opera is accessible to all ages.
“’Hansel & Gretel’ is often sung in German, but we’re singing it in English with an updated text,” she said. “It really feels like the priority is storytelling, and we’re telling a story that we hope will come across, whether you’re a young child or an adult and whether you’re a seasoned opera goer or it’s your first time.”
Molly Wanless, a graduate student in voice performance from Milton, Wisconsin, plays Gretel.
“Gretel is sweet, caring and protective of her younger brother,” she said. “I have loved playing Gretel and specifically discovering how much she cares for Hansel.”
Morgan Goad, a graduate student in voice performance from Hillsboro, Missouri, plays The Witch.
“The Witch is quite the character, honestly,” she said. “She is both hilarious and terrifying and is part trickster, part predator and completely over the top. She delights in chaos and has this unsettling blend of charm and menace. Playing her is a blast because I get to lean into theatricality and explore the balance between comedy, chaos and genuine danger. She is a character that gives you total freedom to be bold and weird in the best ways.”
Goad appreciates how the opera mixes sweetness and darkness.
“It’s whimsical one moment and terrifying the next, and the music and characters all capture all of it perfectly,” she said. “Audiences can expect something magical with this show. It’s a story they know, and probably a story they’ve told their own children, but the way Humperdinck’s music brings it to life makes it feel brand new.”
Wanless said she enjoys the scenes in the opera where a spirit chorus creates the ambience of the woods.
“This element is specifically unique to our production,” she said. “The spirit chorus forms many of the props and sets. It has been incredible seeing their creativity and ingenuity of the spirit chorus and our choreographer.”
William Shomos, the Richard H. Larson Distinguished Professor of Music (Voice) and Director of Opera, is collaborating with Associate Professor of Dance Susan Ourada for choreography in the production.
“We are incorporating a corps of spirit dancers consisting mostly of voice students,” Shomos said. “Thus far the work has been exhilarating as well as stunning and beautiful. It’s such a great experience for our singers to be in the role of dancers. I am so proud of the creativity and joy they are bringing to the table on this project under Susan’s mentorship.”
Hailey Leslie, a senior music education major from Omaha, Nebraska, is one of The Spirits.
“In this show, The Spirits represent the moving parts within each scene. We represent a lot of the set design,” she said. “For example, you might see us as smoke, the witches’ accomplices and even trees. We move and dance around the characters to help enhance the story line, as well as enhance the world of ‘Hansel & Gretel’ overall. It’s not only pushing me out of my comfort zone artistically, but it is allowing me to try something new, and I am truly enjoying it.”
Sean Heaton, a junior music education major from Clay Center, Nebraska, is also one of The Spirits.
“I would describe The Spirits as the energy of the environment,” he said. “They are both the set and the momentum of the music onstage. They add so much to the artistry of this opera.”
He has appreciated the opportunity to work with the dance program on this opera.
“Working together with the dance department has been an amazing experience that has left me inspired and ultimately bettered,” he said.
Shomos is also collaborating with the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film on this production.
“I’m also happy that UNL Opera is continuing its rich collaboration with the theatre school with alum Payton Schaefer creating the scenic design and current student Dean Bressler designing the lights,” he said.
Connor Buckley is the Bybee guest artist for the production and is the collaborative pianist, worked on coaching with the singers and will be the pianist for the children’s shows.
“The main difference for the children’s shows will be piano instead of orchestra,” Buckley said. “The show will also be slightly shorter without the overture and some other orchestral interludes. I think this opera appeals to children and families through its relatable characters and catchy music.”
Emma Heaton said Buckley has been great to work with.
“He has a really intuitive understanding of how everyone in the cast learns music and adapts his approach to each of us really easily,” she said. “He has so many interesting musical and interpretive ideas.”
Sean Heaton has had the opportunity to collaborate with Buckley multiple times this semester.
“He is nothing short of amazing,” he said. “Musically speaking, he is a fantastic pianist and has a great sense of ensemble. More than that, Connor has been so much fun to work with on stage. We’re always having a good time with Connor.”
Emma Heaton said the music in the opera has been challenging.
“There are so many beautiful moments in the music,” she said. “It’s definitely challenging to sing, with long lines, tricky rhythms and parts where it’s hard to know where to come in, but learning this piece has been worth the challenge.”
Blending playful storytelling with intricate musical layers, the score draws on German folk music tradition.
“There are several German folk melodies featured throughout the piece, many times even overlapping between the singers on stage and musicians in the orchestra,” Buckley said. “Despite the relatively lighthearted story, the score for this piece is quite complex and can be tricky to learn and coordinate. That being said, the students here at UNL have done a terrific job putting together such a large and complex work. It’s been a joy to watch everything come together in rehearsals.”
Sean Heaton said audiences should anticipate a unique take on the classic fairytale.
“Expect beautiful, compelling music from incredibly skilled musicians, and lots of both scary and funny moments from the cast,” he said. “There has never been a production of ‘Hansel & Gretel’ like this one.”
Wanless said the opera aims to offer both familiarity and surprise.
“Audiences should expect a magical journey through the well-known fairytale. But to me, the music is so beautiful and lush, I think the orchestration really brings the whole piece together,” she said. “Even though you know the story, there are so many nuances to our production that we're really excited to share. There are silly, heartfelt and beautiful moments."
Emma Heaton hopes everyone attends the opera because it is for everyone.
“Audiences should attend this opera to see an uplifting story filled with fantasy, humor and love,” she said. “I think it would be a great show for someone attending an opera for the first time or for families looking for a fun experience for their children.”
“Hansel & Gretel” offers a chance for audiences to experience an approachable, collaborative work.
“This is a great opportunity to see an opera that is sung in English, approximately the length of a movie, and features a very accessible libretto,” Buckley said. “It's also a special collaboration with the symphony orchestra and UNL dancers.”
Goad said the opera creates something magical.
“This opera is a feast for the senses with the music, costumes and story all coming together to create something magical,” she said. “Whether you’re a life-long opera fan or it’s your first time attending, there’s something here for everyone. Come ready to be surprised, enchanted and maybe just a little spooked.”