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Hansel and Gretel with Music from the Opera
This Christmas (2012), our extra-special production brings you a delightful introduction to opera. Our production of Hansel and Gretel is specially crafted for children but anyone who loves music will enjoy it.
The opera of Hansel and Gretel by the German composer, Englebert Humperdinck (1854 -1921) is traditionally performed at Christmas. The celebration of sweets and food makes a seasonal delight. Or course, if you know the story, you will realise that the section with the witch is spooky enough to listen to at Halloween too.
We have adapted Humperdinck’s opera to bring you the most charming and catchy tunes, with spoken narration and acting in between. But make no mistake, the singing is real opera – be prepared to be thrilled and amazed.
Cast:
Gretel : Danae Eleni
Hansel : Katie Slater
Witch / mother Elizabeth Donnelly
Narrator : Richard Scott
Music by Englebert Humperdinck, played arranged and produced for Storynory by Joe Davison of Auburn Jam. Additional instruments (flute, oboe, ukulele) by Nikki Davison.
Original libretto by Adelheid Wette (Humperdinck’s sister). Storynory would like to thank Lewis Reynolds for allowing us to use his translation of the words for the songs.
Dialogue by Bertie drawing freely from the verse translation of Constance Bache for the witch’s speeches.
The original story was of course written by the Brothers Grimm and you can hear it told by Natasha in one of our first story productions.
The original pictures for Stornory are by CaiJia Eng who illustrates Katie the Witch for us. More pictures for Hansel and Gretel will be coming very soon.
NARRATOR
Long ago, in a cottage on the edge of a dark wood, two children were busy doing boring jobs. Hansel was making a broom for their father to sell. Gretel was patching up the holes in some old socks. Both were hungry, but they tried not to think about their empty stomachs. As they worked, Gretel sang a simple song
GRETEL SINGS
Suzie pretty Suzie, what’s that in the straw?
The geese are running barefoot and they can’t find their shoes!
The cob-bler who made them can’t make any more
Has-n’t got the lea-ther that he needs to – use
Hansel
He-y diddle diddle I’m so un-der-fed
Who’ll give me fif-ty P
For some jam and some bread?
I could sell my bed and sleep on the straw
Oh the hun-ger is biting
Then I won’t be bitten by fleas a-ny more
If only our mother would come home at last
Gretel
Oh yes, I need to eat something pret-ty fast
Hansel
For weeks dry bread without a break
I can’t take more of this tum-my ache
Gretel
Shush Hansel, think about what Father says when Mother
blubbers and dis-mays
When there’s trouble to withstand
God will lend a hel—-ping hand
HANSEL Speaks
Oh Gretel I wish I had something to eat. Your song makes me feel all the more hungry. I can’t remember the last time we had anything but rough old bread.
GRETEL
Well I’ve got a secret. Tonight shall have rice pudding!
HANSEL
Rice Pudding! Don’t torture me with your fibs!. You know how I love Rice pudding!
GRETEL
It’s true, it’s true. A lady in the village took pity us. She filled mother’s empty jug with milk. Look up! There it is on the top shelf.
HANSEL
Wow ! Milk ! Has it got the cream on it? I’ll climb up and stick my thumb in.
GRETEL
You’ll do no such thing. But isn’t it wonderful! I can’t work any more. I’m dreaming of rice pudding.
HANSEL
Me too.
GRETEL
I’m so happy. Come on Brother dance with me !
HANSEL
I don’t dance with little soppy girls.
DANCING SONG
GRETEL
Little boy come dance with me
Put your hands where I can see
One by here, one by there
Round you go without a care
HANSEL
Little Girl I’m not so sure
I’ll just end up on the floor
Will you show me what to do
So that I can dance like you?
GRETEL
With your foot you tap tap tap
with your hand you clap clap clap
One by here, one by there
Round you go without a care
HANSEL
With my foot I tap tap tap
With my hand I clap clap clap
One by here
One by there
Round without a care
GRETEL
Hey no joking I’m impressed
That’s not something I’d have guessed
No let’s see you keep that smil
Trying out a harder style
With your head you nick nick nick
With your fingers you tick tick tick
One by here
One by there
Round you go without a care
HANSEL
With my head I nick nick nick
With my fingers I tick tick tick
One by here
One by there
Round without a care
GRETEL
SHHH ! Look busy. Here’s mother.
MOTHER
What’s all this horsing around? Stop it at once. Playing is for rich kids ! We’re too poor. There will be no supper until you finish your work.
HANSEL
Oh mother is it true that there will be rice pudding tonight – I’m so hungry.”
MOTHER
Didn’t you hear what I said.? Give me that broom. It’s not half finished. What have you been doing all this time? Take that you lazy child.
SOUND FX
Bang!
HANSEL
AAAAGH ! Don’t hit me !
GRETEL
Oh No ! Look out !
SOUND FX
Crash! Smash !
MOTHER
Now see what you’ve done ! You wicked, wicked children !
GRETEL
Oh the milk is all over the floor
MOTHER
It’s spilt. All spilt. There is nothing for dinner nothing -nothing -. (bursts into tears)
GRETEL
Dear mother. Don’t be so upset !
MOTHER
Silence both of you ! Go out to the woods and find strawberries !
GRETAL
But mother. It’s getting late. It’s the wrong time of year for ….
MOTHER
Do as I say or you’ll be sorry! Out, out of my sight. Why did I ever have children? – just eat and sleep, sleep and eat, play around and break things, make noise, make trouble -that’s all you two are good for – get out ! And don’t come back until your basket is full of berries ! Or I’ll whip you both!
BRING UP SOME INCIDENTAL MUSIC
NARRATOR
Hansel and Gretel, both down at heart, left the cottage to look for strawberries. They did not hear their mother, inside, quietly praying to herself.
MOTHER
Dear God. Help me feed my children. I haven’t got a single crumb for them. They are naughty but I love them with all my heart. I feel so hopeless. Send us some relief from our suffering.
(FX Walking along a path)
HANSEL
This is silly. How shall we find strawberries. They are not out yet.
GRETEL
Perhaps the little man of the wood will help us.
HANSEL
The who?
GRETEL
The little man of the wood.
Sings
A little man stands silent in the wood
He wears a little cape with a velvet hood
Say what sort of man can be one who stand there
Like a tree in his little purple cape and hood?
The little man is balanced up on one leg
He wears a little bonnet up on his head
Say what sort of man can be
One who stand on just one knee
And a little bonnet on his head?
And a little bonnet on his head?
HANSEL
Hey look! I don’t know about your little man, but there’s a little strawberry,.
GRETEL
And where’s there’s one, there’s bound to be more
HANSEL
We’re in luck !
NARRATOR
And the children, in their excitement left the path and wandered through the bushes, filling their basket with strawberries as they went. There were pretty wild flowers too, which Gretel picked up when she saw them. As the sun was setting, they found themselves in a clearing, and they sat down beneath a fir tree. Gretel began to join the flowers together in a ring.
HANSEL
What’s that for?
GRETEL
You shall crown me the woodland queen.
HANSEL
All hail the Woodland Queen ! Let’s celebrate with strawberries !
GRETEL
Oh go on, just one.
HANSEL
Or two….
GRETEL
Cuckoo !
NARRATOR
Gretel takes a strawberry from the basket and pops it into her brother’s mouth. He sucks on it. It is the most delicious taste in the world and it is far too good to resist another one.
Of course it is not long before all the strawberries are all gone.
GRETEL
Whoops ! What naughty children we are ! Mother will whip us if we go back with an empty basket.
HANSEL
Go back? How shall we go back? It’s almost dark. We can’t see the path.
GRETEL
Oh ! Oh oh oh ! What shall we do?
HANSEL
What can we do? We must stay here the night. In the morning, we’ll pick more berries, and find the path home.
GRETEL
You’re right. I’m so tired I can feel the sandman closing my eyelids already. But we mustn’t forget our evening prayers.
Sings
When at night I go to bed
Fourteen Angels watch my head
Two are here beside me
When at night I go to bed
Fourteen angels watch my head
Two are here beside me
Two are here to guide me
Two are by my right hand
Two are by my left hand
Two are here to guide me
Two are by my right hand
Two are by my –
Two are there to lull me
Two are there to wake me
Two are there to guide me to my left hand
Two are there to lull me
Two are there to wake me
Two to guide to highest heaven paradise
heaven paradise
GRETEL
(yawns) Where am I? Is it still a dream? Is this the wood? Why am I hear….?
Hansel, Hansel, wake up you lazy bones.
HANSEL
Did you see them?
GRETEL
Who?
HANSEL
The fourteen angels ! They just went rushing by.
GRETEL
You were dreaming my silly brother.
HANSEL
Oh I must have been.. but hold on. Is that a dream?
GRETEL
What was that there last night?
NARRATOR
For now, in the clearing, in a spot that was empty the evening before, stood a cottage. It was no ordinary house, for it was not built of wood or bricks. It was all made of the sweetest most delicious things ! The hedge was gingerbread. The windows glistened with sugar. The roof was Turkish Delight ! At first it smelt of marzipan and nuts and sweetest raisons. And then – oh yes of hot yummy gooey chocolate source. You could breath it in and it made you feel all warm and happy. But as you can imagine, something that looked so tasty had a magical attraction. You just felt like you were being pulled towards it, that you had to reach out and touch it, taste it, devour it … but you knew that you shouldn’t.. you knew that you should keep back… but you just couldn’t help yourself.
HANSEL
Oh Gretel, , let’s nibble the garden gate a bit. I’m sure it tastes delicious.
GRETEL.
I don’t think we should. A house like that must belong to a princess.
HANSEL
Then she can afford a few crumbs. Hmmm. Yes, the gate does taste SO good. Even better than it looks. I’m going to try the door nob. It’s made of marzipan. Come on sister. Tuck in. When are you going to get a chance to feast like this again. Uh-oh. Hold on.
(HOCUS POCUS MUSIC)
Who’s that? The princess’s grandma? She looks like a bit of an old hag.
GRETEL
Hansel. Don’t be so rude !
WITCH
Nibble nibble mousekin
Who’s nibbling at my housekin?
HANSEL
Who are you ,ugly face?
GRETEL
HANSEL!!!
THE WITCH
Now darling, that’s not nice. I’m Rosina Dainty-Mouth. Children are dear to me. I so love to eat … I mean – meet them.
HANSEL
Get back ! Don’t come near us !
THE WITCH
Come little mouse, come into my house. If you think my garden gate tastes nice, wait until you try my cooking. Oh deary-dear aren’t you hungry?
GRETEL
Well yes we are. Could we take something back for our mother and father?
THE WITCH
Of course. Come inside. I have rice pudding !
GRETEL
Rice Pudding ! I’d love to try some.
HANSEL
Gretel, don’t go inside.. Let’s run.
THE WITCH
Hold !
Hocus pocus, witch’s charm !
Move not as you fear my arm !
Back or forward do not try
Fixed you are by the evil eye !
Children watch the magic head
eyes are staring dull as lead
Now you kids, off to bed !
GRETEL
I suppose I had better do as she says… it’s not good for children to disobey grown-ups
THE WITCH (whispering to herself)
Yes, Gretel mine
How well off you I’ll dine!
But Hansel my boy so young,
Let me try your thumb.
Urchin you’re a scraggy one
No more meat than a skeleton..
Maiden Gretel !
Bring some raisons and almonds sweet
Hansel wants some more to eat !
Yes we’ll soon fatten him up…
GRETEL
But he can’t move his mouth because of the spell you put on him
THE WITCH
Oh yes,
Hocus pocus elder bush
Stiffen body, loosen Whoosh!
He-he my my little miss
Give your brother this
Don’t cry, there’s no matter
Cakes will only make him fatter.
HANSEL
Sister dear beware !
THE WITCH
She makes my mouth water
This pretty little daughter
Come Gretel fine
Sugar maiden mine
Open up the oven door
Should we bake the cake some more?
Carefully look, my little pet
is it ready yet?
Whispers
When in the oven she’s peeping
I’ll be behind her creeping
One little push, bang
the door goes clang !
Then soon will Gretel be
Just done to a T !
GRETEL
Uh, I don’t understand what have to do
WITCH
Just stand on tip-toe
Head bending forward,
Try it I pray
It’s merely play
HANSEL
Sister take care
GRETEL
I’m such a goose, I don’t understand. Please show me what to do
WITCH
Like this you see,
Open the over, it’s easy
HANSEL
Come on sister, now !
HANSEL AND GRETEL
Then one little push, bang
Goes the door, clang !
You, not Gretel, then will be
Just done to a T!
HANSEL
Hurrah now sing the witch is dead, no more to dread
GRETAL
Hurrah the witch is still !
we can eat our fill !
SHORT SONG
Yes, let us happy be
dancing so merrily
now the old witch is gone
we’ll have no end of fun !
Hey ! Hurrah, hurrah
Hip hurrah, Hip Hurrah
Hurrah !
SONG
The spell is broke and we are free
We’ll sing and we’ll dance and we’ll shout for glee
Come children all and form a ring
Join hands together while we sing
Then sing and spring
then dance and sing
for cakes and all good things we bring
HANSEL
Mother !
Mother
Oh come to me my naughty, darling children
SING
When past bearing is our grief
then tis heaven will send relief
Music – lively dance
End.
The Brothers Grimm collected folk stories from German households in the 19th C. Some of their tales have dark under-currents of psychology, others are romantic and amusing.
i loved it. did you love it.
love it it is awesome can’t wait to watch next song
this is godly
asweome
nay to much singing
If you like this book say”I” if you do not like it say”nay”.
Dear PrincessE, it is an old folk story that the Brothers Grimm wrote down in about 1812. We recorded our version with the music last Christmas
When was this story made
Like it
good story
i love this story and the music
oh, I think it was BROTHERS GRIMM!!! Hi Hi!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dear Shireesh, the music was written by the German composer Engelbert Humperdinck
but anyway I love your stories<3 I would like to ask you a question? who made this song? is it BROTHERS GRIMM? PLEASE AWNSER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dear Shireesh, So glad you like the singing and music. I have to admit that actually the voices belong to our two opera singers, not me. Anyway,do keep listening !
BETRIE you are the best singer ever. I never heard just a song before. I just love your stories and songs. PLEASE AWNSER!!!
nice singing! I loved it! Hansel and Gretel is one of my favrit fairytales!
i really liked the singing
i love this book>3
i love this story becaus it is like making my childs amagination and this is helping
for more infomation
the story is tooooooooooo!!! long. hate the Wicth lol
lol
Wonderful! But I noticed that the written transcription does’t entirely match the spoken story… For instance, the witche’s song in her first appearence isn’t written at all! As I’d like to use this for my class (I’m a teacher) and I don’t understand everything in the singing parts, would it be possible for you to complete what’s missing? Otherwise, loved the story and ADORE your website!
Thank you!
I wish I can live ln the Candy house
love it. you need to make some more.
excellent. This is my favourite story. vow vow vow!!!!!!
Loved it.
good book
She goes for a walk with an imaginary me on her arm.
You know you are a frog Bertie also what does the princess do after her meal with imaginary you at the table.
OMG I JUST PRINTED OUT THIS AND MADE A PLAY WITH MY BRO AND SIS WE OUR ASUM A 100000 THANKS FROM ,ME,TALLUAH (SIS) , JONAH (BRO) I AM SOOOOOO EXITED I AM GOWING TO DO THIS FOR MY SCHOOL TALENT SHOW I LLLLLLLLLOOOOOVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEE LLLLLLOOOOOVVVVVVVEEEEEEEE LLLLLLLOOOOOOVVVVVEEEEEEE YOU GIZ I WHISH I COULD HUG YOU , SSSSSCCCCCWWWWWWEEEEEEEEZZZZZZ YOU ARE SOOOOO ASUM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #I
THANKS A TONE
i wish Bertie would change into a prince again
Dear Mindy Beatrice set out two dinners on St. Valentine’s Day one for her – and one for her long lost Bertie
Bertie please reply the question I ask you.
Tell me how Beatrice is doing Bertie.also please reply
Maybe
Well what I mean is that if he does not tell beatrice that you are a frog I will eat him.
Tell Colin this if he does not tell beatrice I eat fish so I maybe eat him
Hey Bertie why does the witch want to eat kids
Sorry if you see the word onthe it is suppose to be the
Word on the.
You are right Mindy, Colin is a really unhelpful Carp and did not mention my predicament.
Please reply Bertie please also answer
This question onthe story Halloween on the
Pouf colin talks to princess betrice so why
Dosn’t Colin tell that you got turned into a
Frog
Please anwer back also Thao Ng is my mom
round without a dare
this is dumb THE STORY IS EPIC EPIC EPIC EPIC EPIC loved IT:P <3 3<3<3<3<3<3
im jokeing it WAS EPIC
well its not the right story i dont like it
favoret stoory
Thank for telling the story Natasha.
Hey Bertie nice story.
I looooooooooved the story.
Nice job bertie
Isabel it’s British English
i liked but i dont know if the ´pronunciation is american
english or britanic english
My 4 year old boy makes me read this story every night before he gets to sleep, he simply loves this story . I think he will like the opera addon :)
I love the Hocus Pocus song.
hello i love your story it was instresting but the beat of the rythm was not quite good but your shore a good athur.
cool dude.
Wrong time
I did like it a little but must of it I did not like
Love it it is awesome
I looooooooooove this . The opera was lovely . :D :P <3 <3 <3
Dear Afaaf – this is one of my favourite stories as I love the music. It hasn’t been the most popular with the audience. I think some people find the opera singing a bit difficult. I am really pleased you enjoy it !
it’s a really nice story. and i really liked the opera singing.
:D
that was good
that was dum
Love it
Slove
so so so
meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
so so so
coooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
love it
“The music is great. isssss izz.Is is a funny word and sound to my human mouth”
I think is not so bad that they say!!! Keep going.
cheers
good story
I like it. Exept in some parts where they sing REALLY LOUD AND HIGH. My favorite part is where the witch sings HOCUS POUCS song.
Love,
Kara
i love it i am the real one belive me ok i love hansel and gretel taylor out and i love my fans
your story is way to long!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
opera is cool
very nice.I loved it
my mom is an opera singer and bertie how old is story nory?
julia right opera not good two girls singing and talking as a boy and girl
We have linked to the Greek Translation in the introduction. Your WONDERFUL comment is here:
http://storynory.com/2012/12/03/greek-translation-of-hansel-and-gretel/
MANY THANKS !!!!
I will post the greek translation shortly. Thank you !
Αγρότης Villager NPC Συμφωνώ μαζί σας!
Dear Eileen, It’s fantastic to hear from somebody who has performed in Hansel and Gretel. I am really glad that you like our adaptation.
Dear Natalie
We do have Swan Lake http://storynory.com/2010/12/08/swan-lake/
And The Nutcracker http://storynory.com/2008/12/15/a-christmas-nutcracker/
I do hope that you enjoy them !
Love it! I’ve performed the role of Hansel in this opera, and this was a delightful mix of the opera and dialogue. Well done!
Thanks for clarifying, Bertie! Please write another story like this, I really like operas and ballets. If you could, could you do The Nutcracker, or Swan Lake? I love those types of stories, since I do ballet and figure skating, and I like things that are beautiful. :)
Dear Natalie,
The opera does have a slightly different story from the Brothers Grimm version. In the Brothers Grimm story the mother is really wicked and the father is the nice guy. In our story (which follows the opera) the mother is at the end of her tether because of their poverty, but her heart is good really.
Dear Nila, it might be hard to catch all the words, but we do have the text on the site. The “evening prayer” about the fourteen angels watching over the children as they sleep is the most famous part of the opera. I do think it is beautiful. I also really love the first “song”, Susie little Susie, which I feel is very charming. The Witch’s “Hocus Pocus” which Katie sings, and is very spooky, and atmospheric.
Some of the songs were good but it was hard to understand the one about the fourteen angles. Overall, it was good.
not my type sorry
Thank you Mr. Richard for being the world best narrator!
Wicked! Rhyming! Opera! Too loud! Brain wave attack!
I liked the story, but isn’t it supposed to be a wicked stepmother who sends her children out into the woods, and leaves them there, then they wander off and find a cottage with a wicked lady and the brother always sticks out a bone for her to feel, and so she keeps thinking he is so thin. One day, she gets sick of his fibs and cooks him but the girl throws her into the oven, and they come home with jewels and stuff, and the stepmother is gone? I always heard of it that way.
i love it thats amazing storys
Dear Po, Natasha wasn’t in this one, but she is taking a leading role in many of our plans for stories in the near future.
Gretel was’t singing it was NATASHA!
The singing was wonderful! I LOVE IT!
Stella
P.S When is the new astropup coming?
Well done, Story Nory! We love you! This was beautifully done.
Good,I love it.Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood.
Thank you Josua. I’m really pleased that you like it.
It is amazing. I love it.
Dear Lucy I’m so pleased that you like it. We loved doing this, and we are trying to think of another opera that we could adapt. The good thing about this is that we could do Hansel and Gretel with two singers. We can’t yet afford a cast of thousands.
Beauifull I love the singing can you do some more stories like this. Thank You!!!
Dear Julia,
I am sorry you did not like it. But thank you for your comment, because we need all opinions, and it’s true that opera is not for everybody. I really hope that others do like it – we have put SOOOO MUCH into this. Maybe listen again sometime. Really, it’s beautiful.
horrible singing not good at all. sorry i didn’t like it. ;-(