Humperdinck: Hansel und Gretel DVD

Hailed by Richard Strauss as "a masterpiece of the highest quality", Humperdinck's debut opera Hänsel und Gretel has remained a firm favourite since its 1893 première. The seed was planted when the composer's sister, Adelheid Wette, asked for some songs for a children's play she had adapted from the folk-tale collected by the Brothers Grimm. The resulting opera is filled with high spirits, fairytale fantasy and genial comedy, which in this production is presented against marvellous sets by Maurice--Where the Wild Things Are--Sendak (the witch's cottage is a particularly... colourful and elaborate delight).Sent into the woods to gather strawberries by their mother, brother and sister, Hänsel and Gretel are enchanted by the Sandman (Martina Jankova), woken by the Dew Fairy (Milena Jotowa), watched over by angels, and narrowly avoid being turned into gingerbread children. This is an energetic, joyful production. Malin Hartelius makes a delightful, irrepressible Gretel whether dancing, teasing her brother, or outsmarting the witch, who is characterised in classic pantomime form by tenor Volker Vogel. Mezzo-soprano Liliana Nikiteanu makes a good, slightly sulky Hänsel, while Alfred Muff, as the children's father, Peter, is so heartily charismatic as to illuminate every scene in which he appears. This melodic treat is a fine way to introduce Harry Potter-loving children to the pleasures of the opera. On the DVD: the image is an anamorphic 1.77:1 ratio, and given the limitations of filming live opera is generally very good. There is a considerable amount of detail and the various lighting effects are well captured, though a handful of shots are not focused accurately. Sound options are PCM stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS. The stereo mix by default sends the main front image to the rear speakers as a Prologic soundtrack, and so needs to have the effects setting switched out on the amplifier. Rather than being locked accurately to the screen the two multi-channel soundtracks leave the voices sounding as if they are coming from everywhere and nowhere, making the stereo soundtrack the preferred choice. Hearing parts of the orchestra come from behind the stage creates a very unnatural impression. Subtitles are available in English, German, Spanish, French and Italian, though the documentary mentioned on the back cover is not on the disc. --Gary S Dalkin [show more]

Read More