Will perform “The Sound of Music” and “Hansel and Gretel”
Austria’s historic Salzburg Marionette Theatre will bring its 100th Anniversary Tour to Brigham Young University to present “The Sound of Music” Friday, Nov. 1, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 2, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall. The group will also perform “Hansel and Gretel” Saturday, Nov. 2, at 10 a.m.
“The Sound of Music” tickets are $15-$25 and the “Hansel and Gretel” matinee tickets are $10 ($5 off with BYU or student ID, $3 off for senior citizens or BYU alumni). Tickets can be purchased at the Fine Arts Ticket Office, (801) 422-2981, or at byuarts.com/tickets.
“The Sound of Music,” conceived and directed by Richard Hamburger, is based on the Broadway musical by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II and will be performed in English. “Hansel and Gretel,” directed by Hinrich Hortskotte, is based on the Grimm Brothers’ fairy tale with music by Engelbert Humperdinck and libretto by Adelheid Wette.
To experience the Salzburg Marionettes is to witness the beauty and magic of a group rarely seen outside of Europe. For 100 years, the company has performed thrilling, dramatic presentations utilizing the remarkably life-like movements of its elaborately costumed, two-foot tall, string-manipulated puppets on lavish backdrops set to beautiful, recorded music.
Featuring a skilled ensemble of behind-the-scenes professional puppeteers, the performances present the charm and wonder of a long-standing European tradition in a fresh, exciting way.
Jeffrey Martin, presenter for BYU’s BRAVO! Professional Performing Arts Series, explains the significance of the Salzburg Marionette Theatre performing at BYU.
“The ephemeral nature of live theatrical performance is exactly what makes these performances this weekend so special and unique. Watching the master puppeteers of the Salzburg Marionette Theatre right here in Provo may very well be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he said. “And there is perhaps no better way to experience the charm of 'The Sound of Music' and the classic 'Hansel and Gretel' than through the unique lens and intricate artistry of one of the world’s most time-honored puppet companies."
“As you might expect, these performances didn’t come about by chance. Bringing a company of this size, stature and repute — along with all of their 24-inch friends — halfway across the world takes a great deal of planning and patience,” Martin said. “But as with so many other things in life, good things really do come to those who wait. I have no doubt you will find great pleasure in joining us here as the company makes its BYU debut at last.”
Puppeteers include Philippe Brunner, Pierre Droin, Anne-Lise Droin, Edouard Funk, Vladimir Fediakov, Heide Hoelzl, Michaela Obermayr, Emanuel Paulus, Eva Wiener and Ursula Winzer.
The design and technical crew includes Chris Barreca, set design; Anita Yavich, costume and puppet design; David Budries, sound design; David Rosenmeyer, musical direction; and Melissa Cooper, dramaturg.
For more information about this performance, contact Jeff Martin, (801) 422-6340, jeff_martin@byu.edu.
Writer: Brett Lee
