Hänsel and Gretel

Engelbert Humperdinck’s opera is a luscious delight, romantic and comic in equal measure – but one that needs to be taken seriously if it is to work. This Glyndebourne production does just that, even though the setting has been twisted from a Grimm forest to a modern cardboard city and the gingerbread house to a supermarket stacked with junk foods. It works brilliantly and the revival of the tour is as vibrant as the original festival production. Ilyich Rivas steer the orchestra with energy when required but when needed with the lighest of touches. Victoria Yarovaya’s Hänsel is boyish and Andriana Churchman’s Gretel is excellent. They both sing with a clarity and power much needed to rise above the score. Colin Judson’s witch started a little underpowered and it took him a while to find his presence on the stage, both vocally and as the character. But when he did he was excellent, the voice clear and the character the personification of lascivious evil worth waiting for. Full marks to an excellent company and child chorus too. A real gem of a production that proves that Glyndebourne can do adventurous without being silly.

Glyndebourne, 6 October 2013
Rating:
Andrew Kay