Monica Yunus Competition. In 2001, Yunus sang the role of Nanetta in "Falstaff" in her debut with Amato Opera. In the 2002–2003 season, Yunus made her debut with Nashville Opera as Gretel in Engelbert Humperdinck's "Hänsel und Gretel", her debut with Virginia Opera as Oscar in "Un ballo in maschera", and performed the role of Walter in "La Wally" at Alice Tully Hall with Teatro Grattacielo. She also performed the roles of Servilia in Mozart's "La clemenza di Tito" and Polly in "Die Dreigroschenoper" with Pittsburgh Opera as part of her internship there. Yunus was also awarded a career grant from the
Hansel and Gretel (opera) to her to be careful. Gretel pretends that she does not know what the witch means. The witch tells her to lift herself a little bit and bend her head forward. Gretel says that she is "a goose" and doesn't understand, then asks the witch to demonstrate. The witch, frustrated, opens the oven and leans forward. Hansel springs out of the cage, and he and Gretel shove the witch into the oven. They dance. The oven begins to crackle and the flames burn fiercely, and with a loud crash it explodes. "Scene 4" Around Hansel and Gretel, the gingerbread children