LA Opera presents Hansel and Gretel, conducted by James Conlon


Holiday season performances from November 17 through December 15

(Los Angeles) October 25, 2018 — Plácido Domingo, LA Opera's Eli and Edythe Broad General Director, has announced final details about the company's upcoming revival of Hansel and Gretel, composer Engelbert Humperdinck's uniquely charming classic for all ages.

"A true masterpiece of the German operatic repertoire, Hansel and Gretel tells a beloved story with a powerful message of courage in the face of adversity," noted Mr. Domingo. "I love to see families come to the opera together, and I have no doubt that this extraordinary production, returning to our stage for the first time since 2006, will entrance audiences both young and old."

Conducted by James Conlon, the company's Richard Seaver Music Director, and sung in English, Hansel and Gretel will be performed from November 17 through December 15 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90012).

About the Opera
Humperdinck’s musical retelling of the classic children’s fairy tale will come to vibrant life on the LA Opera stage in a vivid production created by artist Doug Fitch. With 12-foot-tall creatures, fantastical sets and elaborate special effects, Hansel and Gretel transports the audience to a captivating world filled with wonder and surprise for all ages.

The Performers
Mezzo-soprano Susan Graham makes her role debut as the Witch, after recently starring in the title role of The Merry Widow at the Metropolitan Opera and as Didon in Les Troyens at Lyric Opera of Chicago. Last season, she joined LA Opera as Artistic Advisor to LA Opera's Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program. Mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke will make her company debut as Hansel. She recently created the title role of Nico Muhly's Marnie for English National Opera, and her future appearances include Eduige in Rodelinda at Barcelona's Gran Teatre del Liceu and the title role of Orlando with San Francisco Opera. The role of Gretel will be performed by soprano Liv Redpath, a member of LA Opera's Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program, whose many appearances with the company include the leading roles of Olympia in The Tales of Hoffmann and Amour in Orpheus and Eurydice.

The role of the Mother will be performed by soprano Melody Moore, who most recently appeared with LA Opera in the title role of Tosca in 2017. Bass-baritone Craig Colclough performs the role of the Father, after numerous company appearances including Count Monterone in Rigoletto earlier this year.

In addition to Ms. Redpath, two other current members of the Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist Program will appear in featured roles: mezzo-soprano Taylor Raven as the Sandman and, in her company debut, soprano Sarah Vautour as the Dew Fairy.

The Creative Team
James Conlon, LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director, conducts a production directed by Doug Fitch, who also designed the scenery and costumes. The lighting designer is Duane Schuler and the movement director is Austin Spangler. The production will feature the Los Angeles Children's Chorus, led by its new artistic director, Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, in his company debut. The opera will be performed in an English translation created for LA Opera by Richard Sparks.

Performance Dates and Times
There will be six performances of Hansel and Gretel presented by LA Opera at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012):

• Saturday, November 17, 2018, at 7:30pm
• Sunday, November 25, 2018, at 2pm
• Thursday, December 6, 2018, at 7:30pm
• Sunday, December 9, 2018, at 2pm
• Wednesday, December 12, 2018, at 7:30pm
• Saturday, December 15, 2018, at 7:30pm

Tickets
Tickets are on sale now. Tickets begin at $16 and can be purchased online at LAOpera.org, by phone at 213.972.8001, or in person at the LA Opera box office at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (135 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90012). For disability access, call 213.972.0777 or email LAOpera@LAOpera.org.

For additional information about this presentation, visit LAOpera.org/Hansel.

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Production made possible with generous support from
The Okun Family in memory of Milton
and
GRoW @ Annenberg

Susan Graham’s appearance made possible by generous support from
The Eva and Marc Stern Principal Artists Fund

LA Opera is a non-profit organization
dedicated to serving the greater Los Angeles community.

Yamaha is the Official Piano of LA Opera.


LA Opera Media Contact:
Vanessa Flores Waite, Director of Communications
vwaite@laopera.org
213.972.7554