Hansel and Gretel
School Performances
Family Performances
Benefit Luncheon
Study Guide Highlights
Synopsis
  Cast of Characters
  About Humperdinck
  Gingerbread Recipe
  Survival Skills
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By Engelbert Humperdinck

Cast of Characters
(in order of appearance)

Hansel, a young boy

Mezzo-soprano*

Gretel, his sister

Soprano

Mother (Gertrude)

Mezzo-soprano

Father (Peter), a broommaker

Baritone

Sandman, the sleep fairy

Soprano

Dew Fairy, the dawn fairy

Soprano

Witch, who eats children

Mezzo-soprano

* The role of Hansel is considered a “pants role.”  A pants role is a male character sung by a mezzo-soprano (a female whose voice is in the middle range).  Hansel is a young boy and Humperdinck felt a mezzo-soprano voice was the closest imitation of a young boy’s voice.