Description
Humperdinck’s opera from 1893 is based on the fairytale by the Brothers Grimm. Two children, sent into the woods to look for strawberries by their impoverished parents, encounter the Sandman, who sprinkles his magic sand on them. They sing the Abends will ich schlafen geh’n (Evening Prayer) for angels to watch over them as they sleep; the theme of the Evening Prayer is heard at the very beginning of the overture, frequently returning throughout. The third act of the opera sees Hansel and Gretel defeat an evil witch in her gingerbread house by tricking her into an oven before they themselves are eaten. Our arrangement for guitar quartet is dedicated to Catherine Savory, George’s mother.
