Is that the wind whispering or a wicked witch planning to fatten you up and eat you? Find out with Hansel and Gretel in this funny-scary-touching opera - perfect family fare from The Royal Opera for everyone at holiday time.

In this famous fairytale, two children become lost in a forest and are captured by a witch whose gingerbread house proves too much of a temptation. In an explosive climax the defeated witch gets a taste of her own culinary methods, and there is a rousing happy ending as parents and children are happily and safely reunited.

This brand new production by regular favourites Patrice Caurier and Moshe Leiser has their characteristic wit, a dash of deliciously black comedy.

There is also visual and musical beauty from the Sandman, Dew Fairy and a host of protective angels to brighten anything lurking in the darker corners. With Humperdinck’s tuneful score and this is as musically memorable and visually delightful as opera gets.

Dates
Opens: 9th December 2008
Closed: 1st January 2009

Run Time: Two hours 15 minutes

Sung in German with English surtitles