Hansel and Gretel (1963 film) Hansel and Gretel (1963 film) Hansel and Gretel is a 1963 Australian TV adaptation of the opera "Hansel and Gretel" by Engelbert Humperdinck. It screened as an episode of "Wednesday Theatre" in 1966. It was an early role for Jackie Weaver who played Gretel and was aged 16; she had just appeared as Cinderella in a pantomime at Philip Street. Brian Gilbert, who played Hansel, was 13. The show was recorded during the visit to Australia of Australian conductor Charles Mackerras. He consducted the Sydney Symphony Orchestra while the opera was videotaped. Sydney Morning Herald commented on the limitations of
Rosalind Plowright of "Hansel and Gretel". Other recordings include "Maria Stuarda", "Otello", "Aida" and "Hänsel und Gretel", all for the Opera in English series for Chandos Records, "Elijah" also for Chandos, "La vestale" for Orfeo, "Les contes d'Hoffmann" for EMI, and "Il trovatore", "La forza del destino" and Mahler's "2nd Symphony" for Deutsche Grammophon. "La Belle Dame sans Merci" for Romeo Records – Release date 6 May 2014. Suor Angelica "Suor Angelica", "Il Trittico" from La Scala, Milan. Leonora "Il Trovatore" from L'Arena di Verona. Gertrude "Hänsel und Gretel" from The Metropolitan Opera, La Contessa di Coigny / Madelon "Andrea Chenier" from