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Written by Patty Stewart, Special to the Citizen
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Wednesday, 03 December 2008 |
If it was written today, this familiar children’s fairytale would be called a tale of horror.
Two children become lost in the forest and are taken in by a seemingly kindly old woman who lives in a gingerbread house, covered with candies and sweets.
The children realize the woman intends to cook them and in the end, as with all good fairytales, goodness prevails.
This month in cities around the world including Prince George, the story of Hansel and Gretel will be retold. The beautiful score, composed by Engelbert Humperdinck, made its debut in 1893, and in many parts of the world it has become a Christmas season classic.
Audiences in Prince George will be treated to four performances of this musical confection, featuring the Prince George Symphony Orchestra and the UBC Opera Ensemble. We’ve been thrilled in the past by this company’s productions of La Boheme and The Magic Flute. Adding to the production will be dancers from Judy Russell’s Enchainement Dance Centre, as well as a children’s chorus.
Weaving the familiar Grimm’s Brothers tale with the music of Humperdinck gives added meaning to the work’s themes - hunger and hope. Perhaps the best known of the opera’s arias is the gentle Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep.
But the shocker of the piece comes with the grand finale. I was probably around five-years-old when my mother took me to the Muny Opera in St. Louis to see Hansel and Gretel. I remember being totally mesmerized and so lost in the story that when the evil witch was pushed into the oven, which then exploded in a deafening blast, I let out a piercing scream that filled the night air.
Now, some 50 years later, I savour and treasure that memory, of my mother and me, all dressed up at the opera, and my outburst at the finale. It marked the beginning of my love for opera - the blending of beautiful music, strong story, acting and sets.
This is the perfect family outing to make some musical memories, and perhaps spur a love for opera that could last a lifetime.
Hansel & Gretel plays Dec. 19 to 21 at Vanier Hall. Tickets are available online at www.pgso.com.
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On another holiday entertainment note, the talented and gorgeous blues and jazz singer Maureen Washington returns to Prince George Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. at the Wing at Waddling Duck and Dec. 15 at Art Space.
Washington, along with pianist David Sproule, will present their fifth annual holiday show in Prince George, featuring plenty of the season’s classic tunes, as well as a few blues and jazz standards.
She now calls Victoria home and music lovers there are enjoying one of P.G.’s best musical exports. Washington has been performing fairly non-stop in the provincial capital, and has also ventured to other top spots on the Island appearing at music festivals.
If you’ve not had the pleasure of an evening with this rising star, don’t miss out on the experience. Tickets are available at Books & Company and the Waddling Duck.
In the meantime, check out www.maureenwashington.com or the singer’s collection of music on ITunes.
If you know of someone or something that should be In the Spotlight, contact Patty Stewart at
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 03 December 2008 )
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