Perfect for families and operatic newcomers, Antony McDonald’s witty and imaginative adaptation of Englebert Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel returns to The Royal Opera on the Main Stage from 22 December 2024 – 7 January 2025.
Sung in English, the magical picture-book production is brought to life by Kate Lindsey (Hansel), Heidi Stober (Gretel), Carole Wilson (Witch), Thomas Lehman (Peter), Catherine Carby (Gertrud), Sarah Brady (Sandman) and Valentina Puskás (Dew Fairy), all under the baton of Giedre Šlekyte. Šlekyte, along with Stober, Lehman and Brady make their Royal Opera debuts. McDonald’s direction and designs are brought to life by lighting designer Lucy Carter and movement director Lucy Burge.
Humperdinck’s music combines the rustic charm of folksong with majestic orchestral scoring and a libretto written by his sister, Adelheid Wette. What began life as an informal piece, intended for her children to perform at home, has grown into this much-loved piece synonymous with Christmas.
The production includes 26 members of the RBO Youth Opera Company, The Royal Opera’s in-house chorus of 9–13-year-olds, as gingerbread men. The Youth Opera Company is a free initiative that gives children from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to perform in Royal Opera productions. Offering lessons in performing arts, stage craft and music from world-class artists, the Company aims to inspire young people to be more engaged in the arts through greater access to creative education and live theatre. The Youth Opera Company have been involved in productions such as Damiano Michieletto’s new production of Carmen (2024), Cavalleria Rusticana / Pagliacci (2023), Werther (2023) and Turandot (2023).
No experience or knowledge of opera is needed to join the Youth Opera Programme. Applications for the 2024/25 will open later in the year.
Insights: Magic and Myth in Opera and Ballet explores the three magical productions, Cinderella, La bohème and Hansel and Gretel, that come to the Royal Opera House over the Christmas period on 21 November 2024.
Photo credit: Tristram Kenton
