A free webcast of Hansel and Gretel during the Holidays!
The Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal presents a classic for the whole family
The Opéra de Montréal is pleased to announce a free webcast for the entire family, available as of December 17! The show Hansel and Gretel, presented by the Atelier lyrique in 2014 in Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at Place des Arts, will be available to view online until January 17, 2021 – to the delight of young and old alike during this unusual holiday season. The famous Grimm fairy tale is playfully brought to life by stage director Hugo Bélanger and features mezzo-soprano Emma Char and soprano Frédérique Drolet singing the roles of Hansel and Gretel respectively.
Created in collaboration with the National Theatre School of Canada and the National Circus School, the opera is intended for the whole family and offers an excellent opportunity to introduce youngsters to the world of opera. “We are especially eager to provide a moment of magic for families, knowing that the holiday season will be different this year,” says Patrick Corrigan, General Director of the Opéra de Montréal.
Combining circus arts, opera, and theatre, the opera Hansel and Gretel is certainly an ideal work for the holiday season.
– Patrick Corrigan, General Director of the Opéra de Montréal
Its story brimming with youthfulness and fantasy, this magical opera offers refreshing melodies and colourful characters. The Atelier lyrique’s production also features musicians of the Orchestre Métropolitain, conducted by Alain Trudel, highlighting Engelbert Humperdinck’s score. “This past year, the pandemic has compelled us to get more creative and innovative in order to offer content and activities that appeal to one and all. Combining circus arts, opera, and theatre, the opera Hansel and Gretel is certainly an ideal work for the holiday season,” explains Mr. Corrigan.
Online webcasts of the Opéra de Montréal’s productions are in keeping with the company’s values of accessibility and the democratization of opera. Following the public’s enthusiasm for two successful webcasts presented this fall – Puccini’s La bohème and the double bill of La voix humaine by Poulenc and L’hiver attend beaucoup de moi by Jobidon/St-Onge – the Opéra de Montréal is confident that Hansel and Gretel will respond to an ever-growing need: that of reliving the experience of cultural outings.
‘Its story brimming with youthfulness and fantasy, this magical opera offers refreshing melodies and colourful characters.’
Synopsis
Punished for being somewhat disobedient children, Hansel 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 Hansel 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…
For further details, visit operademontreal.com
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Well-established in Montreal, at the crossroads of North American and European culture, the Opéra de Montréal acts as a catalyst for the city’s artistic creativity and celebrates Quebec and Canada’s rich vocal heritage, showcasing opera at its most diverse and daring. From great classics of the opera repertoire and innovative new works from home and abroad to a training program for the finest young Canadian singers and a strong commitment to the community and education, the Opéra de Montréal offers unforgettable operatic events at which everyone is warmly received and feels welcome.
As a top-tier artists’ residency for Canadian opera singers and pianist-vocal coaches, the Atelier lyrique is a training program operating within the Opéra de Montréal that serves as a true springboard to professional life. Offering innovative, bilingual, and personalized training that covers the full spectrum of an opera artist’s development, the Atelier ensures that each of its members can reach their full potential while fostering their autonomy, leadership, and self-achievement.
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