The Clever Gretchen

Grete, the fisherman’s daughter, is not just very bright but an expert at solving riddles. Together with her parents, she even finds a brilliant and rather unusual way of visiting the King, overcoming his rather tricky instructions for all potential guests: Driven – not driven. At night – in bright sunshine. Swift – and slow. Blond curls – black hair. With a gift – without a gift. Grete and the King fall in love. She is crowned Queen – at least for a while, for the King is a very proud monarch and trouble is inevitable. But Grete is pretty resilient, and in the end beats her sweetheart at his own game with wit and compassion. Martin Smolka’s (*1959) opera for children from 2006 is brimming with fun and riddles. It also features original and unusual sounds that will delight and surprise all audience members, young or old. This brainteasing bonanza has been staged by director Andrea Kramer, who specialises in children’s theatre, with four singers, one actor, 13 musicians and lots of fun.