3 immortal pieces from the opera Hansel and Gretel by Humperdinck – with the best interpretations from YouTube (Hits, Best of)

Humperdinck’s fairy tale opera is loved all over the world for its music inspired by folk music. Few other works of opera literature have been translated into so many languages and it is one of the most performed operas in the world.

 
 

Hansel and Gretel dare to dance

.
Hansel is not in the mood for work. He stops first at the milk pot and rests. Gretel asks him to continue working, but he is able to persuade her to dance a little dance.
The first, simple version, which Humperdinck set for the sister, consisted of four 2-part pieces. This dance piece is the only one that has been taken over almost unchanged from the first version. It has found its way into the German folk song.

See and hear the scene charmingly played by Gruberova and Fassbaender.

Brüderchen Tanz mit mir – Fassbaender / Gruberova

Der Abendsegen (The evening blessing) – a lonely climax

.
Hansel and Gretel are lost in the forest. Night falls. The two pray together and find sleep embraced on the forest floor.
This famous scene is the opera’s resting point. It is a lullaby

According to Kesting, this scene in the interpretation of Elisabeth Schwarzkopf and Elisabeth Grümmer is one of the great highlights of the opera discography: “The recording conducted by Herbert von Karajan belongs to the greatest soprano and sound luxury in the history of records, ideally cast up to the supporting roles. The sound mixture of “Abends will ich schlafen gehen” first falls on the ear as a beguiling sensual stimulus and transforms into magical poetry.

Abendsegen (Abends, will ich schlafen gehen) – Schwarzkopf / Grümmer

The Witch’s Ride

.
The witch fires up the oven in which she intends to roast Hansel. Exuberant in joy at the food, she takes a ride around the house on her broom.
The “Witches’ Ride” is a barely concealed persiflage of the “Ride of the Valkyries”. Humperdinck composed the opera for a large romantic orchestra, and he musically exploits the possibilities of color. In general: the orchestra is given a prominent role throughout the opera with the prelude and the transitional music.

Witch’s Ride – Suitner