大象传媒

Conductor David Parry leads Scottish Opera鈥檚 latest production of Humperdinck鈥檚 magical fairy-tale opera Hansel and Gretel. Starring Kathleen Ferrier Award winner Kitty Whately as Hansel and Welsh soprano Rhian Lois as Gretel, with soprano Nadine Benjamin making her Scottish Opera debut in the dual roles of Mother and the Witch. New Zealand born Baritone Phillip Rhodes sings the role of Father and the enchanted Sandman and Dew Fairy are both portrayed by former Scottish Opera Emerging Artist Charlie Drummond. This production was recorded in December 2020 at Glasgow鈥檚 Theatre Royal and is sung in English, using a translation from the German by David Pountney. The specially reduced orchestration is by Scottish Opera鈥檚 Head of Music Derek Clark.

The story tells of Hansel and Gretel鈥檚 journey through the woods, where they鈥檝e been sent to gather strawberries after making a nuisance of themselves at home. There they encounter a magical house made of gingerbread and covered in sweet treats. Their hungry stomachs can鈥檛 resist and they start to nibble on the house. However the Witch is at home and she has other, darker plans for the children.

Presented by Kate Molleson

Hansel - Kitty Whately (mezzo soprano)
Gretel - Rhian Lois (soprano)
Mother & the Witch - Nadine Benjamin (soprano)
Father - Phillip Rhodes (baritone)
Sandman & the Dew Fairy - Charlie Drummond (soprano)
Chorus - Barbara Cole Walton & Cl铆ona Cassidy (sopranos), Jane Monari & Sarah Shorter (mezzo sopranos)
Orchestra of Scottish Opera
Conductor - David Parry

Photo credit: James Glossop