Virginia Opera Presents Beloved Romantic Fairytale

NORFOLK, Va. (October 25, 2011)- Virginia Opera will begin the 2011 holiday season with a traditional family favorite with a modern twist. Virginia Opera will produce Hansel and Gretel by nineteenth-century composer Engelbert Humperdinck. Based on the story by the Brothers Grimm, Hansel and Gretel explores every child’s universal need to belong, regardless of where they live or what language they may speak. 

Virginia Opera is honored to collaborate with The Governor’s School for the Arts on Hansel and Gretel. Through the S.T.A.R. (Student Training and Artistic Residency) Program, a training venture between Virginia Opera and the Vocal Music Department of the School. Now in its 11th year,The Governor’s School will exclusively provide the chorus for the production. Alan Fischer, Department Chair of Vocal Music at The Governor’s School for the Arts, tells of the excitement, “This is the first time the Governor’s School for the Arts students will comprise the entire chorus for a Virginia Opera mainstage production. This partnership benefits both groups: the students are ecstatic about being given a wonderful opportunity to work with a professional opera company and Virginia Opera gets to work with students, many of whom hope to sing professionally someday.”

Hansel and Gretel, the second new opera of the 2011-2012 season, builds on the company’s tradition of featuring casts of fresh-faced young singers, five of whom will be making their Virginia Opera debuts. Mezzo-soprano Karin Mushegain debuts as Hansel, and first year Spectrum Resident Artist, soprano Julia Ebner debuts as Gretel. Mezzo-soprano Margaret Gawrysiak debuts in the dual roles of Gertrude, Hansel and Gretel’s mother, and the children’s nemesis, The Witch. The fast-rising young countertenor Jason Abrams debuts as the Sandman. Mr. Abrams, originally from Hampton Roads, received his Bachelor of Music degree from James Madison University. A second debuting Spectrum Resident Artist, soprano Elizabeth Baldwin, completes the cast as the Dew Fairy. Joining the five new singers is critically-acclaimed baritone Eric Greene singing the role of Peter, the children’s father. Eric Greene returns to Virginia Opera following several successful guest appearances including his last performance as Escamillo in Carmen.

Noted American conductor Gerald Steichen is making his debut as guest conductor at Virginia Opera by leading the Virginia Symphony and the exciting young cast in this important new production. With a career that ranges from symphony to opera, Broadway to chamber music, Maestro Steichen has established himself as one of America’s most versatile musicians.  Kevin Newbury will return to direct Virginia Opera’s new production of Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel. Mr. Newbury directed the World Premiere of Ricky Ian Gordon’s Rappahannock County for Virginia Opera, the Virginia Arts Festival and the Texas Performing Arts at the University of Texas at Austin.