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Francais (French)
On Apr. 6, Orchestre classique de Montréal (OCM) and Jeunesses Musicales Canada (JMC) delivered a delectable treat with Opéra-bonbon: L’aventure gourmande d’Hansel et Gretel, a 60-minute operatic initiation for young audiences that managed to entertain, educate, and enchant in equal measure.
Charlotte Gagnon
Adapted and narrated in French, the show reimagines the iconic fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel, enriched with musical additions, including selections from Humperdinck’s own Hänsel und Gretel, as well as works by Beethoven, Handel, Mozart, and Bizet. Pascal Blanchet’s adaptation is a highlight: brisk, witty, and perfectly paced to keep even the youngest minds engaged from start to finish.
Andréanne Brisson Paquin. Photo: Amélie Fortin
Charlotte Gagnon (Hansel) and Andréanne Brisson Paquin (Gretel) brought solid performances, both vocally and theatrically, supported by actor Guillaume Rodrigue as the mischievous narrator whose interactions with the set (and the audience) helped advance the show and added comic timing. Brisson Paquin, in particular, shone in a reduced version of Handel’s Tornami a vagheggiar, her voice soaring with clarity and ease, a true “musical gourmandise” of the evening.
One of the most remarkable aspects was the orchestration. With just ten musicians under the direction of Véronique Lussier, the ensemble achieved a surprisingly lush sound, especially in the Humperdinck passages that typically call for a full Romantic orchestra. Pianist Xavier Rousseau provided additional support throughout.
OCM & JMC’s Opéra-bonbon: L’aventure gourmande d’Hansel et Gretel (2022). Photo: Brent Calis
That said, not everything was perfect. The sound design, unfortunately, left something to be desired: poorly equalized vocal amplification flattened the singers’ natural tone, and some technical hiccups affected the audibility of spoken text during certain transitions.
Still, these glitches did little to dull the sparkle of the show. The room was full, and not just with families, but with the sound of children being genuinely engaged. Their giggles echoed through the hall, a resounding testament to the show’s success.
For a concert aimed at planting seeds for future audiences, Opéra-bonbon was a confection well worth savouring.
For more on Orchestre classique de Montréal’s season visit www.en.orchestre.ca Learn more about Jeunesses Musicales Canada’s programs at www.jmcanada.ca
This page is also available in / Cette page est également disponible en:
Francais (French)
