Family Musical Mornings Kicks Off Pacific Symphony's New Opera Initiative with Humperdinck's Opera Hansel and Gretel

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Concert features professional singers; talented students from Chapman University; plus costumes, props and projected scenery

The captivating fairy tale opera, “Hansel and Gretel,” comes to life in full orchestral and vocal color for Pacific Symphony’s Family Musical Mornings’ unique production of Humperdinck’s beloved opera, created just for kids. Kicking off the Symphony’s new opera-vocal initiative—which includes a production of Puccini’s “La Bohème” this April and “Tosca” in February 2013—this 45-minute performance includes original narration and dialogue to introduce children to the beautiful and powerful instrument, the voice. Led by Assistant Conductor Maxim Eshkenazy, the orchestra and singers tell the familiar Brothers Grimm story of two siblings who venture into a magical forest to find a gingerbread house made of candy. But, beware! A wicked witch wants to turn them into a snack! Staged with costumes, props and scenery projected on the big screen. Presented by Farmers and Merchants Bank and underwritten by the Honorable H. Warren and Janet Siegel, “Hansel and Gretel” takes place Saturday, March 3, at 10 and 11:30 a.m., in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

Tickets are $19-36 and include a Musical Carnival before or after the show (more below). For more information or to purchase tickets call (714) 755-5799 or visit www.PacificSymphony.org.

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