Humperdinck’s fully staged opera at The National Theatre, Abu Dhabi

NSO Opera, under the umbrella of the NSO Symphony Orchestra will present Engelbert Humperdinck’s fully staged opera ‘Hansel & Gretel’ on 10 and 11 March at The National Theatre, Abu Dhabi, a deliciously spine-tingling, musical fairytale opera that’s sure to thrill!

The 45-piece NSO Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Music Director Andrew Berryman, will enthral all the family with Humperdinck’s sweeping arrangement, in the musical style of Wagner.

Under the stage direction of dynamic Spanish­-Jordanian Haya Nasser,

Mezzo-soprano Louise Merrifield will take the principal role of Hansel, while Soprano Julia Teal Kermott is flying in from the US to take the principal role of Gretel. Both have performed previously with NSO in the UAE.  

Dramatic Soprano Susanna Lauer will be the children’s Mother whilst Tom Isherwood is flying in from the UK to perform the role of Father.  Dramatic Soprano Helen Kerr will be the wacky but scary Witch. Tenor Robert Millner as the Sandman and Coloratura Soprano Lauren Nieuwland as the Dewfairy, complete the professional principal role line-up.

A fence of traditional gingerbread-cookie-shaped panels surrounds the witch’s gingerbread house. When Hansel and Gretel defeat the witch, shoving her in the oven, those gingerbread cookies become human – the spirits of the children the witch had eaten were trapped inside.

And, since it’s an opera, the children break out in song.

A full cast of 80 Abu Dhabi-resident children in the joyful Gingerbread chorus, whacky Witch's Dance and stunning Angel ballet, will support the principle line-up, bringing colour and excitement to the National Theatre’s stage.

“Hansel & Gretel is going to be a colourful and fantastical production, complete with magic spells and exploding ovens,” said Janet Hassouneh, NSO’s Founder & Executive Director. “It will be a little like watching ‘Harry Potter’ in an opera.”

Some 10,000 people loved the orchestra’s spectacular accompaniment of Andrea Bocelli’s concert at the du Arena last April, and younger audiences were enthralled earlier by the orchestra, with Elsa and friends, as they performed live at the screening of Disney’s animated film, Frozen.

The Abu Dhabi premiere is under NSO's  ‘Working with Children for Children’ community initiative in support of a worldwide children’s charity.

Friday 10 March 2017, 7.30pm Gala Evening

Saturday 11 March 2017, 2.30pm Matinee

The National Theatre, Abu Dhabi

Tickets – Platinum Dhs250, Gold Dhs150, Silver Dhs100, Balcony Dhs75