Just added another performance on the "concert" page. I'm subbing in the pit orchestra of SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music to play "Hänsel und Gretel". I was a last-minute addition to the orchestra and I sight-read through the opera on Monday. Anyway, we have four shows: Friday the 16th at 7:30pm, Saturday the 17th at 2pm and 7:30pm and Sunday the 18th at 2pm. All at the Performing Arts Center at SUNY Purchase. Here is the link to the box office.
The opera is by a German composer, Engelbert Humperdinck (1854-1921). "Hänsel und Gretel" was originally written for his niece's puppet show at home. It had only four songs. Then it became a "Singspiel" of 16 songs with piano and finally he orchestrated it to make a whole opera. Premiered under the baton of Richard Strauss in 1893, this is his most famous work. I actually don't know any other pieces by Humperdinck.
To be honest, I had known of the opera for a long time but only heard the Prelude (overture) . But I'm enjoying being part of this production. I feel like there's lots of "Mahler" moments and according to my research, Mahler conducted it in 1894 (I love Mahler, by the way!).
There are lots of videos of "Hänsel und Gretel" on YouTube and I'm watching this one:
The opera is by a German composer, Engelbert Humperdinck (1854-1921). "Hänsel und Gretel" was originally written for his niece's puppet show at home. It had only four songs. Then it became a "Singspiel" of 16 songs with piano and finally he orchestrated it to make a whole opera. Premiered under the baton of Richard Strauss in 1893, this is his most famous work. I actually don't know any other pieces by Humperdinck.
To be honest, I had known of the opera for a long time but only heard the Prelude (overture) . But I'm enjoying being part of this production. I feel like there's lots of "Mahler" moments and according to my research, Mahler conducted it in 1894 (I love Mahler, by the way!).
There are lots of videos of "Hänsel und Gretel" on YouTube and I'm watching this one:
Learning this opera is helping me learn German :-) I have picked up lots of food words from the lyrics. And all musical terms are written in German, except "Pizz" (Italian notation of plucking strings). "Arco" (back to playing with bow) is written "Bog" which is short for Bogen (bow in German). Thanks to Google translate, I'm learning lots of musical terms! In a practice part, there is also this English:
Because of the premiere date (Dec 23, 1893), this opera is often associated with Christmas time. So, just in time for the holiday season, come see a show at SUNY Purchase!
