Humperdinck's "Hansel und Gretel"

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1. Although it has become traditional to perform "Hansel und Gretel" around Christmastime, this tradition only began late in the twentieth century. True False

2. In addition to "Hansel und Gretel", Humperdinck composed an operatic version of another favorite Brother's Grimm fairy-tale; which was it? Cinderella Rapunzel Snow-White and the Seven Dwarfs Sleeping Beauty

3. Humperdinck was greatly influenced by Richard Wagner, who had invited the younger composer to Bayreuth to assist in the preparation of what would be his final opera; what was the opera? Parsifal Lohengrin Die Meistersinger Gotterdammerung

4. Upon completing the score of "Hansel und Gretel", Humperdinck presented the manuscript to this eminent German composer, who declared "This work is truly a masterpiece of the first rank." Who was the composer? Gustave Mahler Richard Strauss Anton Bruckner Friedrich von Flotow

5. There are a number of differences between the libretto of Humperdinck's opera and the original story as recounted by the Brothers Grimm. Which of these is NOT one of them? Children formerly turned to gingerbread by the witch are restored to life in the opera. The evil stepmother is replaced by a harried, but loving mother. In the opera, the Witch is not pushed into the oven. The children are not deliberately left to starve in the wood, as in the story.

6. The role of the Witch has occasionally been performed by a tenor. True False

7. The roles of the Sandmannchen and the Taumannchen (the sand and dew fairies) are both scored for this voice type. Soprano Tenor Mezzo-soprano Counter-tenor

8. One major piece from the opera was not performed at the premiere in 1893; which was it? The "Dream Pantomime" The overture (Vorspiel) The "Witches' Ride" (Hexenritt) The "Evening Prayer"

9. The melody of the "Evening Prayer" (easily the best-known piece in the score) is quoted briefly in Act I. Gretel reminds Hansel, who is complaining bitterly of hunger, of a maxim they had been taught: "Wenn die Not aufs Hochste steigt, Gott der Herr die Hand uns reicht" ("When Need is at it's height, the Lord God stretches forth His hand"). From whom did the children learn this saying, which is quoted at the very end of the opera? A wandering preacher Their mother Their father An angel

10. Collapsed in despair after the jug of milk she had put by to make supper is smashed, the children's mother Gertrud is still more embittered when her husband Peter arrives home, apparently in a state of inebriation. Her mood quickly changes to exultation, however, when he produces the makings of a feast: butter, eggs, bacon, sausage, turnips, onions, even a half pound of coffee! Peter proceeds to explain how he came by the means to buy these dainties; he had gone into town and made a large number of sales; what items did he sell? Brooms and brushes Shoes and boots Axes and knives Pots and pans

11. The "Hexenritt" (Witches' Ride") describes the ride of numerous witches on their broomsticks and owes, perhaps, some inspiration to Wagner's celebrated "Ride of the Valkyries". Where in the opera is it performed? After the Witch's aria in Act III After the Dream Pantomime in Act II As the Prelude (Vorspiel) to Act III As the Prelude (Vorspiel) to Act II

12. While gathering berries in the wood, the children hear and imitate the distinctive call of this bird. The whip-poor-will The catbird The mockingbird The cuckoo

13. In the famous "Evening Prayer", the children call upon their guardian angels to watch over them as they sleep. According to the song, how many angels keep watch over each child? Fourteen Three Ten Twenty

14. In Act III, Hansel and Gretel encounter the Witch, who introduces herself by name. What is her name? Helga Rosine Bertha Xenia

15. A broadcast performance of "Hansel und Gretel" inaugurated the tradition of live radio broadcasts from the stage of the Metropolitan Opera. True False