Congrats to winner: Gwendolen
12/20 Update: I saw the opera with an opera singing friend. (It turned out that the giveaway winner also sang with an opera in the past.) I was surrounded by experts. As a non-expert, I definitely recommend that everyone goes to see an opera at least once in their life – if only to hear the applause at the end… “Bravo!” “Brava!”
I loved the orchestra music of the performance. The acting was also very well-done. It was interesting to see cross-gender performances (which I learned are common). Hansel’s role was performed by a women and the witch’s role was (hilariously!) performed by a man. Overall, I enjoyed the performance – especially the third act. However, I would recommend against taking very young kids to this particular opera. It is very dark (which is to be expected from a Brothers Grimm tale) with bloody imagery that could have the potential for nightmares! (I guess that it depends on your kid though…I did see several young kids in attendance – and they didn’t appear traumatized.)
There are many things that I love. I love the holiday season in New York. There is so much to see and to do. I especially enjoy attending events when I can take my family or friends. Best of all is when I can go AND my Mom in the City readers can come along also. That is why I’m excited that I was sent 2 tickets to attend the Metropolitan Opera’s season premiere of Hansel and Gretel AND 2 tickets to give to one lucky Mom in the City reader. I would advise that you use this as a date night or a girlfriend’s night out type thing. I think that it is a little too “dark” for really young kids. Besides, it’s on a Monday night/school night. I’ll be bringing a girlfriend (who happens to be an amazing singer!) with me since the opera is not my husband’s cup of tea. The orchestra seat tickets are for opening night (Monday, December 14th) at 8:00 pm.
Below is the opera’s short synopsis of the piece:
…the Haunting, charming, and a little wicked, the Met’s production returns as the season’s special holiday presentation for families. Miah Persson and Angelika Kirchschlager are the lost siblings. Philip Langridge reprises his outlandish portrayal of the Witch in Humperdinck’s take on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale. Sung in English and conducted by Fabio Luisi.
I also found a short snippet from a past performance of the opera on YouTube:
To win the two tickets to this holiday classic, please tell me your favorite current production at the Metropolitan Opera in the “Comments” section below by December 7th at noon. For an additional entry, comment on any other non-giveaway post during the promotion period. *Please note that this is a special one-week only giveaway.*
Thanks to the Metropolitan Opera House for providing both sets of tickets (for me and for you!).