(Source of the photos is the official WeChat account of CNO)
“Hansel and Gretel” by the China National Opera (CNO) premiered on July 6th and 7th2024, presents a fascinating paradox. As the first stage-ready production of this popular opera in China, it feels both foreign and familiar. Sung in German and largely faithful to the original, this production seems an unlikely candidate for cultural relevance. Yet it is precisely this fidelity to tradition that invites us to examine how a centuries-old German work can appeal to Chinese operagoers.
Enlightening production
The production’s visuals immediately address this question. As the curtain rose, audiences were struck by the ingenious use of the steampunk aesthetic. Cute, almost Disney-esque characters navigate a world of gears and steam engines, creating more than just a spectacle. Director Shi Jingfu’s attempts to create a “cool but not too cute” fairy-tale world brought a mix of whimsical characters and an industrial setting, creating a powerful visual metaphor. This juxtaposition cleverly reflects a modern dilemma: how to retain childlike curiosity while embracing the rapid changes of today’s world?
But the production’s narrative choices do not quite match the director’s intention. The decision to change the stepmother to a biological mother, remove the children’s choir and reduce the role of the witch shifts our focus to the protagonists’ journey. While this emphasises the development of Hansel and Gretel, it comes at the expense of character depth and dilutes the complexity of the original work.
Musical highlights
Despite these narrative compromises, the production shines vocally, overcoming the language barrier through its performances. The vocal quality of the entire cast is top-notch, and stands out particularly when dealing with deep and sometimes dark themes such as growth, poverty and danger.
The individual performances stand out for their ability to tell the story through emotional depth and character development. Wang Ye’s portrayal of the Mother is impressive. Her passionate and fierce singing effectively conveys the hardships of the Hansel and Gretel family. Soprano Li Jingjing’s portrayal of Gretel is an outstanding testament to the transformative power of the performance. Her evolution from a confident soprano to a vibrant, impressive Gretel reflects the character’s journey of self-discovery and invites the audience to grow along with her. Yang Li’s Witch offers a fascinating contrast, presenting a character with a cartoonishly terrifying appearance but philosophical words. This complexity adds depth to what can be a one-dimensional role and reminds us of the shades of grey we encounter in our own lives.
The orchestral music, conducted by Yuan Ding, further enhances the storytelling. Ding’s interpretation of the score, which is mostly sweet and faithful to the original, conveys the feeling with finesse. The orchestral part creates a sound world that complements the visual spectacle. The orchestration allows the audience to experience the unspoken fears, hopes and triumphs as their own. Of particular note is the string section, which deserves praise for its gorgeously golden texture. It beautifully captures the opera’s central motif of cakes and sweets, giving it a fresh relevance when viewed with mature eyes. However, the orchestra occasionally struggles to capture the subtler, darker elements of the story, missing an opportunity to add further depth to the production, sometimes vacillating between overly loud and weak passages.
As the final curtain fell, the audience left the theater feeling renewed and empowered. This unexpected feeling raises an intriguing question: “Why does experiencing this classic opera as an adult offer a new perspective on life?”
The CNO production of Hansel and Gretel responds with masterful storytelling. By not only telling Gretel’s story but making us empathize deeply through music and performance, it proves that the unique power of opera lies in the action itself. It reconnects us with the courage and creativity of our younger selves while viewing those qualities through the lens of adult experience.
Through a blend of music and storytelling, China National Opera’s Hansel and Gretel demonstrates how a classical work can retain its universal appeal across cultural boundaries. It offers a profound and moving experience that helps us rediscover strengths we may have forgotten and reshapes our understanding of ourselves and our world.
