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Wickedly delicious: Richard Jones’ Hänsel und Gretel returns to the Bayerische Staatsoper

Nikola Hillebrand (Gretel) and Rachael Wilson (Hänsel)
© Geoffroy Schied
Hänsel und Gretel
© Geoffroy Schied
Rachael Wilson (Hänsel) and Nikola Hillebrand (Gretel)
© Geoffroy Schied
Rachael Wilson (Hänsel), Nikola Hillebrand (Gretel) and Ya-Chung Huang (Witch)
© Geoffroy Schied
Juliane Banse (Gertrude) and Thomas Mole (Peter)
© Geoffroy Schied
By Mark Pullinger, 07 December 2025
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“Hillebrand’s soprano is light and lyrical... throwing out top notes with insouciant ease”
Reviewed at Nationaltheater, Munich on 6 December 2025
Programme
Humperdinck, Hänsel und Gretel
Performers
Bavarian State Opera
Vladimir Jurowski, Conductor
Richard Jones, Director
John Macfarlane, Set Designer, Costume Designer
Michael Bauer, Lighting Designer
Bayerisches Staatsorchester
Kinderchor der Bayerischen Staatsoper
Jennifer Tipton, Lighting Designer
Rachael Wilson, Hänsel
Nikola Hillebrand, Gretel
Ya-Chung Huang, Witch
Thomas Mole, Peter / Father
Juliane Banse, Gertrude / Mother
Iana Aivazian, Dew Fairy
Meg Brilleslyper, Sandman
Linda Dobell, Choreography
Kamila Akhmedjanova, Choirmaster / chorus director
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More reviews...
Read reviews of
Bavarian State OperaBayerisches StaatsorchesterEmily SierraEngelbert HumperdinckErika BaikoffHänsel und GretelIana AivazianJennifer TiptonJohn MacfarlaneJuliane BanseKevin ConnersKinderchor der Bayerischen StaatsoperMeg BrilleslyperMichael BauerNikola HillebrandRachael WilsonRichard JonesThomas MoleVladimir JurowskiYa-Chung Huang
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Mark Pullinger
Mark Pullinger
Mark has been a Bachtrack editor since 2014. He is also an experienced critic, writing hundreds of reviews for the site, as well as a freelancer writing for other magazines and newspapers. He also writes programme notes and blogs on Substack. Mark has a particular passion for the operas of Verdi as well as Russian and French repertoire. Outside the concert hall and opera house, Mark enjoys cooking and travel and is probably at his happiest let loose in a French patisserie or a Viennese coffee house.