"Hansel and Gretel" opera April 28 on campus

The Dana School of Music performs Engelbert Humperdinck’s opera, Hansel and Gretel, 2 p.m. Sunday, April 28 in Bliss Hall’s Spotlight Theater on the campus of Youngstown State University.

The performance presented by the Dana Opera Ensemble is free and open to the public.

The production is directed by Dana alumnus and internationally-acclaimed Heldentenor Gary Lehman.

Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel originated at the request of his sister Adelheid Wette for a set of folksongs to be performed by her children at a family gathering. Wette wrote the libretto based on the fairytale of the Brothers Grimm, and Humperdinck expanded the idea first to a short singspiel (a dramatic piece with spoken dialogue between songs) and finally into a full-scale opera.   

The cast includes Gretel, Amanda Bertilacci (Niles, Ohio); Hansel, Rachel Jones (Cecil, Pa.); Gertrude, the Mother, Sarah Hunter (Warren, Ohio); Peter, the Father, David Mouse (East Liverpool, Ohio); Sandman, Emilio Santiago (Hermitage, Pa.); Dew Fairy, Sydney DiCenso (Howland, Ohio); The Witch, Lyndsay Heavner (Cumberland, Md.); Gingerbread Children, Kristina Clemons (Youngstown), Emily Gerak (Poland, Ohio), Geena Badalamenti (Cambridge, Ohio).

In addition to the director, professional staff includes Susan Foster, musical preparation, and Anthony Ruggiero, piano. Lighting designer is James Oakry and set designer is Kimberly Hunter. 

Parking is available in the Wick Avenue deck for a nominal fee.