Summary
A work brimming with youthfulness and fantasy, a magical opera featuring refreshing melodies and colourful characters. Inspired by the Brothers Grimm (Snow White, Rapunzel, Cinderella) fairy tale, the opera version of Hänsel & Gretel comes to us courtesy of German composer Engelbert Humperdinck. As directed by Hugo Bélanger, the 2014 production by the Atelier lyique de l’Opéra de Montréal, presented in Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at Place des arts, benefits from the participation of artists from the National Circus School, adding a wonderful touch to this timeless story. Also taking part are musicians from the Orchestre Métropolitain, conducted by Alain Trudel, shining a spotlight on Humperdinck’s scintillating score. Young artists, opera, and the circus: an encounter that promises to be magical!
Get ready to enjoy Hänsel & Gretel with these educational videos, produced for primary and secondary school children:
Hänsel & Gretel Behind-the-scenes - Part 1 (in French only)
Hänsel & Gretel Behind-the-scenes - Part 2 (in French only)
Punished for being somewhat disobedient, Hänsel and his sister Gretel are sent off to pick strawberries in the forest. To make matters worse, they lose their way and are put to sleep by the Sandman, spending the night outdoors. When they awaken, they continue their search and come upon a magnificent house made entirely out of gingerbread and candy! Unable to resist the enticement, they don’t think twice about taking a few bites out of the surreal house… just as the homeowner—an evil, cannibalistic witch—shows up. She captures Hänsel and Gretel, with plans to fatten them up and eat them! But the children prove to be more cunning, and it’s the old witch that ends up in the oven…
Multimedia
Videos
Behind-the-scenes - Hänsel & Gretel | Part 1
Our friendly opera singer Frédérique Drolet, who plays Gretel in this opera, takes you on a journey behind-the-scenes.
Videos
Behind-the-scenes - Hänsel & Gretel | Part 2
Our friendly opera singer Frédérique Drolet, who plays Gretel in this opera, takes you on a journey behind-the-scenes.
Videos
PreOpera - Hänsel & Gretel
Videos
Hänsel & Gretel at home - Ad
Photos
Hänsel & Gretel
Composer

Engelbert Humperdinck >
The son of a schoolmaster, Humperdinck began taking piano lessons at the age of 7, and sang in the choir at the church in his hometown. Admitted into the Cologne conservatory in 1872, he was awarded a scholarship in 1876, which allowed him to further his training in Munch. He had been a fan of opera since his teen years, when he first encountered the genre through a performance of Undine, a fairytale opera by Lortzing.
Stage Director

Hugo Bélanger >
Metteur en scène explorant le merveilleux et l’imaginaire, Hugo Bélanger enchante les publics depuis plus de 20 ans avec des spectacles où la théâtralité et l’inventivité font la part belle au rêve et à la poésie. Créateur touche-à-tout et spécialiste du jeu masqué et physique, il crée pour le théâtre, le cirque et l’opéra avec un égal bonheur. Sa signature artistique mariant une précision des corps avec un amour pour les images fortes et poétiques sait toucher un public de tous âges et de tous types. Directeur artistique du Théâtre Tout à Trac, compagnie qu’il a fondée il y a plus de 20 ans, il crée des spectacles grand public qui ont marqué les esprits comme La princesse Turandot, MÜNCHHAUSEN, les machineries de l’imaginaire et Le tour du monde en 80 jours.
Cast
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Hansel
Emma Char
Canada
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Gretel
Frédérique Drolet
Canada
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Gertrud
France Bellemare
Canada
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Peter
Cairan Ryan
Canada
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The Witch
Rachèle Tremblay
Canada
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The Dew Fairy and Sandman
Florie Valiquette
Canada
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Conductor
Alain Trudel
Canada
Stage Director Assistant : Maude St-Pierre / Circus Designer : Veronica Melis / Costume Designer : Naomi Fontaine / Set Designer : Odile Gamache / Lighting Designer : Julie Basse / Prop Designer : Alain Jenkins / Rehearsal Pianist : Jennifer Szeto / Musical Preparation : Claude Webster
In collaboration with the École nationale de cirque, the École nationale de théâtre and the CSDM COOPÉRA project.
A movie by Pierre and François Lamoureux (Cinémusica)