Ludlow Hansel and Gretel grips youngsters
The tale of Hansel and Gretel gripped a new generation as hundreds of children from around a county town gathered for a special concert.
Ludlow Orchestra performed an "opera for children" at the Ludlow Assembly Rooms on Wednesday to a packed venue of about 280 pupils from three primary schools.
The concert saw local storyteller Sally Tonge narrate the tale with four soloists leading the orchestra in a musical rendition of the dark fairytale, based on extracts from 19th century composer Humperdinck's opera version of the story. Catherine Brown, chairwoman of Ludlow Orchestra, said it followed on from the success of a similar event last year.
She said: "Last year we packed out St Laurence's Church for a Last Night of the Proms-style concert for six local primary schools, which was really well received, and we thought we'd introduce local children to opera this year.
"It went very well, the feedback was wonderful from the schools. The children were really rapt and so well behaved – I could see mouths open and they were just buzzing afterwards. I heard one of them say 'that was the best thing I've ever seen'.
"They learned a dance so that they could all join in at the appropriate time and they all went off with their own gingerbread man – I spent the weekend baking about 300 of them."
She said the orchestra's next big date at Ludlow Assembly Rooms was a performance of Mozart's opera Cosi Fan Tutte – though this time for adults –
on December 3.
