Catalogue

Summary:

A delightful and delicious recording for children of all ages. The first modern recording in English of Humperdinck’s timeless classic receives a magical performance by German Maestro Andreas Delfs and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, an American orchestra who show off their skills in Germanic repertoire with amazing authority. The American cast is led by the stellar sopranos Heidi Grant Murphy and Susanne Mentzer. This recording is especially dear to Delfs’ heart; when he first heard Hansel & Gretel at the age of six he was, for the first time in his life, transformed by the power of music. Music lovers world-wide will likewise be enchanted by Humperdinck’s fantasy world in this dazzling live recording.

Tracklist:

ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK (1854–1921)

Hansel and Gretel
A fairy-tale opera in three acts
After a poem by Adelheid Wette, English version by Tom Hammond
Edited from the sources by Hans-Josef Irmen
Sung in English

CD1: Acts 1 and 2
CD2: Act 3

Total Duration: 1:43:44

Hansel: Susanne Mentzer, mezzo-soprano
Gretel: Heidi Grant Murphy, soprano
The Witch: Judith Forst, mezzo-soprano
Mother: Janice Taylor, mezzo-soprano
Sandman/Dew Fairy: Anna Christy, soprano

Stage Director: James Alexander
Milwaukee Children’s Choir, Director: Emily Holt Crocker
Milwaukee Symphony Chorus, Director: Lee Erikson

Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Andreas Delfs, conductor

Recorded 28–30 November 2003 (live) in Uihlein Hall at The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Executive Producer: Evans Mirageas
Editing: Joe Lambert – Classic Sound, New York
Mastering: Tom Lazarus – Classic Sound, New York
Recorded in conjunction with National Public Radio, Director of Music: Benjamin K. Roe
Producer for NPR World of Opera: Bruce Scott:
Audio Engineers: Terry Knight; Daniel Shukhin
Post-Production Engineer: Charles Thompson
Technical Director: Flawn Williams