The famous Grimm’s whimsical masterpiece comes to life in this staged production featuring the coming of age story of
Hansel and Gretel and their journey through the forest, battle with the mysterious witch, a dream ballet, and learning about greed, trust, and overcoming fears. This family-friendly opera performed in English is perfect for all ages.
Hansel and Gretel is sponsored by
AARP Montana, Helena SurgiCenter, American Chemet, Mosaic Architecture + Design,
Flying S Title & Escrow, the Shropshire Family, Visit Helena & the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation
HANSEL AND GRETEL
The music for Hänsel and Gretel started as a favor for Humperdinck’s sister, Adelheid Wette, who wanted music for a children’s play. Adelheid adapted the story from the Brothers Grimm 1812 fairy tale. Since the early 1800s societal views of children and childhood had changed by the end of the century, so Adelheid made changes to the narrative, including removing the wicked stepmother, Hänsel’s imprisonment, and the children looting the Witch’s house after murdering her. New characters were also added, such as the Sandman and the Dew Fairy who watch over the children and serve as benevolent guides. The original story, in fact, was considered unsuitable for younger readers. The revised story shielded the children from life’s bitter realities, and the two characters are recast as virtuous and resourceful as they rescue themselves and other children from the evil Witch.
Composer Richard Strauss conducted the premiere in 1893, and eventually composer Gustav Mahler led several performances. The entire opera was instantly a success. Mahler proclaimed Hänsel and Gretel a masterpiece and a “delightful addition to opera.” It was produced in more than 50 different theatres in the first year after its premiere. The fairy-tale opera concept was a welcome relief from the intense seriousness of Wagner’s dramas as well as the verismo operas (real life stories) of composers like Puccini, Mascagni, and Leoncavallo. Today, Hänsel and Gretel stands alongside Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker ballet as a Christmas favorite for audiences.
NOLA RICHARDSON, Soprano
Making her return to Helena, Australian/American Nola Richardson is known for making her mark as an “especially impressive” soprano (The New York Times). She has won First Prize in all three major American competitions focused on the music of J.S. Bach: Bethlehem Bach in 2016, Audrey Rooney Bach in 2018, and the Grand Rapids Symphony Linn Maxwell Keller Award in 2019. These honors have catapulted her to the forefront of Baroque ensembles and orchestras around the country, where she has been praised for her “astonishing balance and accuracy,” “crystalline diction,” and “natural-sounding ease” (Washington Post).
Her past highlights include a debut at the Kennedy Center with Opera Lafayette as “Fraarte” in Handel’s Radamisto, which drew praise for her “particularly appealing freshness and directness” (Washington Post), and a “standout” performance (Opera News) as the “First Lady” in Die Zauberflöte with the Clarion Music Society. She is the first and only soprano to receive the prestigious DMA degree in Early Music Voice from Yale, where she attended the Institute of Sacred Music.
KIRA DILLS- DESURRA, Mezzo Soprano
Hailed as a nuanced singer and talented comedic stage actress by the San Diego Union Tribune, Kira Dills-DeSurra is a vibrant American mezzo-soprano whose magnetic stage presence communicates effortless charm and authenticity.
A champion of new and rarely performed works, she has appeared in many American operas including Gerald Cohen’s Steal a Pencil for Me, as “Vera Boronel” in The Consul, “Isolde of the White Hands” in Frank Martin’s Le Vin Herbé, and “Nurse” and “Secretary” in The Perfect American by Phillip Glass. Her professional recordings include Lori Laitman’s The Three Feathers, Joe Illick’s Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World, Tom Cipullo’s After Life, Amy Beach’s Cabildo, and The Perfect American by Phillip Glass.
MASTERWORKS SERIES PRESENTED BY AARP MONTANA
The Helena Symphony is elated to announce we will continue our partnership with AARP to bring exceptional symphonic music to thousands across western Montana. As the Masterworks Series presented by AARP Montana, this continued collaboration will support audiences within the concert hall, bringing the highest quality symphonic performances and guest artists to Helena. The Helena Symphony is grateful for the generosity of the entire AARP Montana team!
Season subscriptions for the remaining concerts of the Helena Symphony Masterworks Concert Series presented by AARP Montana are available for purchase. In addition to the substantial discounts on season tickets, subscribers also receive the new Bring A Friend Pass, The Art of Listening Newsletter, first access to Non-Series Concerts, and several other benefits. Single concert tickets ($22-$71.59 plus a $5 transaction fee) can also be purchased online at www.helenasymphony.org, by calling the Symphony Box Office (406.442.1860), or visiting the Symphony Box Office located on the Walking Mall at the Placer Building (21 N. Last Chance Gulch, Suite 100) between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tickets for the Non-Series Concerts, Mozart by Candlelight and Christmas in the Cathedral, are also available.
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See below for Season concert listing.
Maestro Scott, guest artists, and Director of Patron Services Scott Kall are available for interviews by contacting
the Symphony at 406.442.1860 or [email protected]