Engelbert Humperdinck (1854-1921)
Hänsel und Gretel, opéra romantique en 3 actes

Leos Janácek (1854-1928)
La Petite Renarde rusée, JW 1/9, opéra en 3 actes

Jonathan Dove (1959-)
Les Aventures de Pinocchio, opéra en 2 actes

Angelika Kirchschlager, mezzo-soprano (Hansel)
Diana Damrau, soprano (Gretel)
Elizabeth Connell, soprano (Gertrude, la mère)
Thomas Allen, baryton (Peter, le père)
Anja Silja, soprano (La sorcière)
Pumeza Matshikiza, soprano (Le marchand de sable)
Choeur du Royal Opera House
Orchestre du Royal Opera House
Colin Davis, direction
Moshe Leiser & Patrick Caurier, mise en scène
(Hänsel und Gretel)

Lucy Crowe, soprano (Renarde)
Emma Bell, soprano (Renard)
Sergei Leiferkus, baryton
Mischa Schelomianski, basse
Adrian Thompson, ténor
William Dazeley, baryton
Jean Rigby, mezzo-soprano
Colin Judson, ténor
Choeur du festival de Glyndebourne
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Vladimir Jurowski, direction
Melly Still, mise en scène
(La Petite Renarde rusée)

Victoria Simmonds, mezzo-soprano (Pinocchio)
Jonathan Summers, baryton (Gepetto)
Mary Plazas, soprano
Rebecca Bottone, soprano
Graeme Broadbent, basse
Allan Clayton, ténor
Orchestra and chorus of Opera North
David Parry, direction
Martin Duncan, mise en scène
(Les Aventures de Pinocchio)

Fantastic storylines abound in opera, but these grand musical settings of much-loved fairytales embrace the imaginary, giving free rein to dreams. The Royal Opera’s acclaimed Hansel and Gretel combines the directors’ characteristic wit and knack for dark comedy with the story’s enduring charm. Glyndebourne’s recounting of the quick-witted fox’s escape into nature balances the opera’s whimsy and mysticism. Opera North’s enchanting staging of Jonathan Dove’s 21st opera is a wittily inventive feast for the eyes and ears, shining new light on Collodi’s original tale, by turns magical and dark.