P.D.Q. Bach - Hansel and Gretel and Ted and Alice, an opera in one unnatural act (S. 2n-1)
0:00 - Overture
1:26 - Aria: "I am a quaint old innkeeper"
2:55 - Aria: "Like a lonely pilgrim"
4:51 - Aria: "My name is Hansel Hunter"
6:11 - Aria: "I'm the village idiot"
6:41 - The Monk's Aria (Et expecto)
9:15 - Aria: "There's something about a monk"
11:25 - Duet: "Do you love me"
12:55 - Interlude: Medical examination
13:31 - Aria: "I hope you'll take this friendly advice"
14:52 - Aria: "Teddy Nice is my name"
15:40 - Duet: "Jump not to conclusions"
17:00 - Finale: "Just tell me what your name is"
Professor Peter Schickele as Quaint Old Innkeeper, Hansel Hunter, Monk (later revealed to be Alice Über Deutschland), and Doctor, beriberitone & calliope
John Ferrante as Gretel Red Riding Hood, Village Idiot, and Teddy Nice, bargain countertenor & harpsichord
David Oei, piano
William “Bill” Walters, stage manager
P. D. Q. rarely received commissions from anyone other than Prince Fred, and he couldn’t conceal his surprise when the Vienna Opera Company offered him ten cases of English ale and a fur-lined chamber pot to write something for the 1785-86 season. Nor could he conceal his consternation when he found out, after he had finished writing Hansel and Gretel and Ted and Alice, that the Vienna Opera Company consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Fritz Vienna and their little boy, Rudi. There are seven different roles in the work, and P. D. Q. was afraid at first that he would have to throw it away and write something else if he was ever going to lay his hands on that English ale, but Herr Vienna, being almost totally deaf, liked the piece and persuaded P. D. Q. to make a few revisions which would make it possible for him and his family to perform the work simply by changing wigs and costumes for each scene, in addition to - and this is one of the most economical innovations in the history of opera - requiring that the singers also play instruments in the Overture and Finale. Several performances were given in the Howdyvolkstheater before the Vienna Opera Company made their final exit late one night, leaving Wein-am-Rhein and many unpaid bills behind them.
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