Boston Lyric Opera, Hansel and Gretel for schools and families

Boston Lyric Opera brings Hansel and Gretel to schools and families

February 27 – March 10, 2011: one-hour production in English introduces kids to classical art form

 Boston Lyric Opera’s (BLO) Opera for Young Audiences production of Hansel and Gretel is only two months away, with performances for schools and families scheduled throughout metro Boston. Ideal for children ages 6-12 (grades two through eight in schools), this lively and colorful show is a fun retelling of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, with music by Engelbert Humperdinck. The one-hour performances are sung in English and fully staged with sets, costumes and lighting.

ABOUT OPERA FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES:

 Each year, BLO’s season includes a fully staged, one-hour version of a popular opera sung in English for school children and families. BLO provides complimentary study guides and performance previews to accompany each production, which enhance the overall experience for school children, educators and families. The programs are tied to Massachusetts Learning Standards. As BLO’s Education & Community Programs Manager Julie House says, “Hansel and Gretel is an excellent opportunity for children, their classmates and their families to discover how fun opera is. Families can also make new memories and start new traditions together. One of the best things

about this program is that it is a great experience for all ages.”

ABOUT HANSEL AND GRETEL: 

In the classic adventure, siblings Hansel and Gretel are sent into the woods to find food. During their search, they

encounter various magical creatures, a candy house, and an opportunity to prove themselves and rescue other children. Audiences will cheer the joyful family reunion and leave humming the catchy tunes! Nearly 22,000 children and adults throughout New England saw last year’s previews and performances of our Opera for Young Audiences, The Barber of Seville. Feedback from parents included: “The performance (set, colors, costumes, acting, singing) exceeded all of my expectations!” “Keep up the great work! Material on the website is good and really helps prepare kids and parents.”

WHEN & WHERE:

Family performances & tickets: (see below for free previews)

·     Sunday, February 27, 2011: Casey Theatre at Regis College,

Weston, 1:30 & 3:30pm

·     Saturday, March 5 & Sunday, March 6: Wheelock Family Theatre,

Boston, 1:30 & 3:30pm

·     Tickets: $12 for children, $18 for adults. Available at

blo.org/families or 617.542.6772.

School performances & tickets: 

·   March 2 & 3: Merrimack College, North Andover

·   March 7 & 8: Wheelock Family Theatre, Boston

·   March 9: The Strand Theatre, Dorchester

·   March 10: Duxbury Performing Arts Center, Duxbury

·   Tickets: $9.50 each, with one free ticket for every 15 purchased.

Available at blo.org/schools.html

Get a sneak peak: BLO will offer free previews of Hansel and Gretel at

Boston-area libraries. These 45-minute presentations will allow

children to experience “the Olympics of singing” up-close with a cast

member. They’ll have fun learning the fairy tale and discovering why

opera is such a unique experience.

·     Saturday, January 8: Boston Public Library (BPL) Hyde Park

branch at 10am; West Roxbury branch at 12pm

·     Wednesday, January 12: Cary Memorial Library, Lexington, 4pm

·     Saturday, January 15: BPL Jamaica Plain branch at 11am; Lincoln

Library at 1pm; Newton Free Library at 2pm

·     Saturday, January 22: BPL Egleston branch in Roxbury at 10am;

Connolly branch in Jamaica Plain at 12pm

·     Sunday, January  23: BPL Copley branch at 2pm; Goodnow Library

in Sudbury at 3pm

(Press Release/Boston  Lyric Opera)