Hansel and Gretel

Engelbert Humperdinck, composer
The Metropolitan Opera

Wow!

I've been cheated for years when I've gone to the opera. Who knew that good opera could be good theater at the Met? This production was amazing. People were happy around me, I was very happy. You have to go.

The singing was very good, which is to say not extraordinary compared with some singers who are on the roster for the spring season, but they were certainly able, decent and very well rehearsed. I just love a big voice and the strongest voices of the evening were the father (Alan Held) and Hansel (Alice Coote). However, Gretel (Christine Schafer) had a lovely voice as well.

The real star of the show was the production, though. The sets, the paintings on the curtains, the choreography, the movement coaching, the costumes--they were all amazing. Like I said, it was great theater and a visual feast. Centered around hunger, food and feast there was a richness to it which can only be believed if seen.

I honestly didn't know that the theater of opera could compete with the rest of the theater in New York. It was a great joy and it gives me great hope for our new director of the Met and the direction opera is finally moving in the U.S. We've been behind for so long and perhaps now we will start to finally catch up. I didn't think I wanted to compromise on singing in relation to expensive, flashy productions but if we can have both I am willing to compromise. My favorite singers are singing in the next few months, but I have room in my heart for both new singers and new productions. So, welcome...can I recommend a few other productions which need a dusting off?