HANSEL AND GRETEL

Some of the first popular collections of German folk tales were collected and published by two academics, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, known as the Brothers Grimm. Their telling of Hansel and Gretel made its way into the hands of Adelheid Wette, the sister of the composer Engelbert Humperdinck, who first asked her brother to create a series of songs based on the story. After revisions, the work became a fully-fledged opera, and one that is not only for children. With rich and full orchestration, it demands vocal stamina of the two leads and also poses many important questions to adult listeners. 

Even though Wette softened the original story into an enchanting fairy-tale opera, folk tales in their uncensored forms often depict dark narratives which psychoanalysts like Carl Jung interpreted as metaphors for the human psyche and its transformation. In Hansel and Gretel, every character yearns for food and sustenance. As beautifully stated by Joseph Lee, Lisa Marchiano, and Deborah Stewart, a trio of Jungian analysts, the symbolism of hunger makes us wonder: what might we be starving for? Have we left our inner children to fend for themselves in the wilderness of the unconscious? Echoing the “rite of passage” myth, the story of Hansel and Gretel shows what happens when the two siblings undertake the trials of the unknown. They plunge into the darkness of their own fears, overcome temptation, and find their way back home, transformed. 

What is the source of their courage and resourcefulness, however? While Humperdinck turned toward the spiritual sustenance of a higher power, in this production, the focus shifts to the redemptive power of love. In a fairy-tale world where children go on dangerous journeys meant for adults, love for one another keeps them safe. Rewarded for their valour and loyalty, the siblings’ efforts affect not only themselves but ripple positively onto the other captive children who have been under the witch’s spell. 

Taken literally, Hansel and Gretel is an exciting escape into the world of the child’s imagination. Taken symbolically, it is a call to awaken to one’s own inner world and to undertake the important work of addressing what we hunger for most. 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 

The Complete First Edition: The Original Folk & Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm Translated & Edited by Jack Zipes | Read here  

This acclaimed English translation of the classic Brothers Grimm stories is beautifully illustrated and proves a delightful read. 

Engelbert Humperdinck: Hänsel und Gretel | Watch here 

A beautiful traditional production of Engelbert Humperdinck’s opera Hänsel und Gretel sung in the original German with English subtitles. 

Aidan Lang Introduces Hansel & Gretel | Listen here 

Former General Director of Seattle Opera Aidan Lang offers an insightful introduction to the opera Hansel and Gretel.  

An Introduction to the Interpretation of Fairy Tales | Read here 

Swiss Jungian analyst and scholar Marie-Louise von Franz has published a wealth of materials on the interpretation of fairy tales; this is a great primer for exploring fairy tales as a reflection of the psyche and to contextualize further reading. 

Hansel and Gretel | Listen here 

This podcast offers an insightful Jungian interpretation of Grimms’ telling of Hansel and Gretel and invites us to consider how we handle our inner hungers. 

Hansel and Gretel Insider’s Guide | Read here 

Calgary Opera’s Insider’s Guide to Hansel and Gretel offers additional information, such as a synopsis, biographies of the composer and librettist, reflection questions, additional resources, and more.