The new year brings Utah Opera a familiar and welcome treat with Engelbert Humperdinck's "Hansel and Gretel."
Based on the Grimm Brothers' fairy tale of the same name, "Hansel and Gretel" tells the story of two imaginative children and the magical adventure they embark on when forced to search for berries in the Ilsenstein forest.
"The kids get sent off into the forest to get something to eat, and then they get lost and come upon this witch," said the production's director, David Gately.
"They're left alone, they both have jobs to do, they're really hungry, they haven't had anything decent in a really long time."
The Deseret News recently sat down with Gately, performers Anya Matanovic and Leah Wool and the conductor, Ari Pelto. While the players enjoy their stewardship in the production, they agreed on one central direction.
"We really delved into the reality of the situation," Gately said.
Matanovic noted that this was a refreshing take on the classic. "It's just a lovely, clear, honest way to go about it. And I think that's how the audience is going to relate to it and enjoy it the most, because they're going to see something honest."
Pelto added, "What's wonderful about fairy tales is they deal with real, often dark, complicated issues of life in a simple way. And the opera does the same thing."
So should the realistic approach make parents think twice about making this their child's first opera? Not according to Wool, who noted that the production is definitely for families. "I think adults and children alike will find different things, and maybe even the same things, within the piece that they'll enjoy and come home talking about."
Humperdinck's "Hansel and Gretel" is a very rich production. Whether reviewing the music or the layered uses of irony and conflict within traditional storytelling, Humperdinck took on a major challenge when deciding to make this opera approachable for all ages. And for Matanovic and Pelto, there were a few more challenges that came with this specific production. This will be their first time doing the show in German.
Subtitles are presented throughout the production so older kids can read what's being said and parents can whisper to their younger children exactly what's going on. But Matanovic explained that she didn't think subtitles would be necessary.
"The way that Humperdinck set the German, especially for the witch, you almost don't even need to know what she's saying because the consonants that he uses and the way that he set her music — you get what she's saying."
"It's full of action," Gately added. "It's pretty clear what's happening with these folks even if you didn't speak a word of German." But clarity does not necessarily mean simplicity.
Pelto pointed out that the music progresses throughout the story and, as the situation becomes more entangled, the structure becomes more dense and elaborate. "Once you've heard "Hansel and Gretel," you always sort of feel it and know it. It has that powerfully organic and compelling quality to it."
There are so many reasons to see a production of Humperdinck's "Hansel and Gretel," but the Utah Opera has organized something special with this talented team.
Pelto returns to the show after conducting the acclaimed and visually striking Portland production of "Hansel and Gretel." Matanovic and Wool are two seasoned sopranos reuniting from the Kentucky Opera's "Hansel and Gretel," and Gately has been praised internationally for his staging and acting direction.
If you go
What: "Hansel and Gretel"
Where: Capitol Theatre, 50 W. 200 South
When: Jan. 15, 17, 19 and 21 at 7:30 p.m., with a final matinee performance Jan. 23 at 2 p.m.
Cost: start at $8 (call 801-355-ARTS (355-2787), or the Abravanel Hall ticket office or Capitol Theatre box office or visit www.usuo.org); for subscribers, students or groups, call 801-533-NOTE (533-6683); ticket prices increase $5 the day of the performance
More information: www.usuo.org