Engelbert Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel” comes to La Sierra

‘Opera at La Sierra’ will present performances of “Hansel and Gretel” on Thurs., Mar. 2 and Sat., Mar. 4 at 7 p.m. with an additional performance on Sun., Mar. 5 at 3 p.m. The performances will feature a cast of La Sierra students, community members, and freelance singers.

The composer of the “Hansel and Gretel” opera died in 1921, and in 1965 his name was taken up by English pop singer Arnold George Dorsey in a re-branding effort that resulted in worldwide fame with such ballads as “Release Me.”

The libretto for the “Hansel and Gretel” opera was written by Humperdinck’s sister, Adelheid Wette. It loosely follows the story of a mother who chases her two misbehaving children into the woods on an errand. They eventually lose their way and fall asleep among the trees. When they wake up, they realize they see a gingerbread house. It is to their misfortune that this house belongs to a devious witch, but the children turn the tables on her. 

Jordan Otis, mezzo-soprano, will star as Hansel. Otis serves as a music teacher for The Grove School in Redlands. She received a master’s degree in vocal performance from the University of Redlands and has performed in other productions such as “Into the Woods,” and “The Merry Widow.” Susana Leiva Ovalle, vocal performance student at La Sierra, will take the role of Gretel. Anthony Leon, vocal performance student, will play the witch. Lexi Escobar, music student with an emphasis in percussion, and Loyda Leon will play the Sandman.

La Sierra alumnus and award-winning drama director Shane Wood will serve as stage director for “Hansel and Gretel.” He holds three Meritorious Achievement awards in directing from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Sara Pinto de Silva, La Sierra alumnae with a music performer’s certificate, is stage manager. She has participated in previous La Sierra productions of “The Sound of Music,” “Die Fledermaus,” and “Fiddler on the Roof.” Dean Anderson will conduct the La Sierra University Orchestra for the performance, and Michael Patterson will serve as assistant conductor.

Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel,” noted as his most popular work, began as four songs he composed for a home puppet show created by his nieces. Over two years the work evolved into a full opera with orchestration. The opera premiered on Dec. 23, 1893 under the baton of Richard Strauss. 

Opera at La Sierra Director Raejin Lee aims to dispel the genre’s common reputation among those unfamiliar with it as an exaggerated, boring, and often loud art form typically presented in incomprehensible foreign languages. “We will make you break the stereotypes about operas through our productions and experience that an opera can be fun, short, child-oriented and sung in English,” says Lee. “And even when it is in a foreign language, its message can still be delivered to the audience through the use of appropriate musical dynamics, articulation and expression. Opera at La Sierra will constantly strive to make people become familiar with the opera genre.”