Pittsburgh Opera presents Hansel and Gretel

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Pittsburgh, PA…
September 20, 2018
Chris Cox, Director of Marketing and Communications
Office: 412.281.0912 ext. 217
Mobile: 412.427.7088 or
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Pittsburgh Opera presents Hansel & Gretel, based on the beloved fairy tale

Based on the classic fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, Hansel & Gretel is a fantastical story of a young brother and sister who must navigate an enchanted forest full of twists, turns, and one wicked witch.

Siblings Hansel and Gretel are poor peasants whose mother sends them to forage for strawberries in a haunted forest. They get lost and spend the night in the woods. The next morning, they stumble upon a gingerbread house inhabited by a witch, played by Pittsburgh favorite Marianne Cornetti, who imprisons them. It will take all their wits to escape before she eats them!

Since its premiere in 1893, this beloved opera has delighted millions. With Humperdinck’s sweeping score, this whimsical operatic confection is sure to please both adults and children.

Originally written in German, Pittsburgh Opera will be performing it in English.

Antony Walker conducts and Mt. Lebanon native Crystal Manich directs.

On stage November 3, 6, 9, & 11, Hansel & Gretel makes an equally good date night, girls’ night out, and family outing.

Adult tickets start at just $14 – children’s tickets for those ages 6-18 are half-price, and start at just $7. Season, group, and single tickets are now on sale and available online.

In addition, Pittsburgh Opera’s annual Student Matinee will introduce 2,500+ school children grades 3-12 to this lively, colorful opera on Thursday, Nov. 8th at the Benedum Center. Pittsburgh Opera’s Resident Artists take lead roles in the Student Matinee, and are accompanied by the Pittsburgh Opera Orchestra. Tickets are $10, and are reserved through Pittsburgh Opera’s Education Department. For more information, please contact Marilyn Michalka Egan, Ph.D., Director of Education, at 412-281-0912, ext. 242.

Performance Dates/Times/Location/Length

Where: Benedum Center for the Performing Arts, Downtown Pittsburgh

When:
Saturday, November 3 - 8:00 PM
Tuesday, November 6 - 7:00 PM
Student Matinee- Thursday, November 8 - 10:30 AM
Friday, November 9 - 7:30 PM
Sunday, November 11 - 2:00 PM

Duration: 1 hour and 54 minutes, including one intermission

Language: Sung in English with English texts projected above the stage

Tickets and Group Discounts

Tickets to all mainstage performances of Hansel & Gretel start at $14; tickets for children ages 6-18 are half-price and start at just $7. Call 412-456-6666, visit the Theatre Square Box Office, or buy online.
Student Matinee tickets are $10, and are reserved through Pittsburgh Opera’s Education Department.
Group and student discounts are available. For discounted group tickets (6 or more), contact Regina Connolly at 412-281-0912, ext. 213.

Media Events

Please contact Chris Cox for reservations

Photo Call (Oct. 22, 12:30 PM) – location TBA
Full Dress Rehearsal (Nov. 1, 7:00 – 10:00 PM), Benedum Center

Related Events

Free Gingerbread House decorating contest (10/13)
Opera Up Close (10/21)
WQED Preview (10/27 & 11/2)
Meet the Artists (11/6)
Audio Commentary (11/6)
Free Brown Bag concerts (10/13, 11/10)

Cast and Artistic Team

See the Hansel & Gretel show page for the complete Cast and Artistic Team.

The Story, in brief

See the Hansel & Gretel show page for complete synopsis.

Fun Facts

Fun facts about Hansel & Gretel

In a proud endorsement of our superb artist training program, the entire cast is comprised of current or former Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artists. Current Resident Artists Ashley Fabian (Gretel) and Caitlyn Gotimer (Dew Fairy/Sandman) join distinguished alums Marianne Cornetti (the Witch), Corrie Stallings (Hansel), Leah Heater(Mother), and Craig Verm (Father). In the Student Matinee performance, first-year Resident Artist Antonia Botti-Lodovico will sing the role of Hansel.
The composer Englebert Humperdinck probably never foresaw that, decades after his death, a struggling English lounge singer named Arnold George Dorsey would energize his career by changing his name to Englebert Humperdinck. As “Humperdinck”, Dorsey broke through with his 1967 hit “Release Me (And Let Me Love Again)", which sold more than a million copies.
Pittsburgh legend Marianne Cornetti has sung the role of the Witch numerous times to great acclaim. However, this will be the first time she is singing the role in English instead of German.
Hansel & Gretel, an opera about a brother and sister, was written by a brother and sister duo.