In time for the holidays, Opera San José presents a captivating production of Humperdinck’s irresistible fairy tale “Hansel and Gretel,” offering a joyful event for the entire family. While adults enjoy the rich score inspired by the sophisticated orchestrations of Wagner, youngsters will be transported by the not-very-scary tale of two children who use their wits to overcome a bumbling witch, setting free a whole batch of gingerbread children from her fearful spell.
Opera San José’s “Hansel and Gretel” presents an excellent introduction to opera for the youngest of music lovers, with a fantastical world including colorful Candyland sets, first-class singing, and a chance to view other clever children appearing on stage as angels and gingerbread cookies. Opera San José Music Director Joseph Marcheso conducts one of his favorite scores, while Layna Chianakas provides stage direction.
“Hansel and Gretel” will be sung in English with English supertitles. Runtime is just under 2 hours, including intermission. It is staged at the magnificent California Theatre, the elegant 1927 former movie palace meticulously restored to opulent splendor and now one of the world’s most intimate opera houses, with twenty rows of seats in the orchestra section, five rows in the grand tier, and six in the mezzanine.