Season Calendar

Hansel and Gretel by Engelbert Humperdinck

October 18 and 19, 2025 | BOTH PERFORMANCES 2PM

On October 18th and 19th, be whisked away to a magical forest in our region’s first grand production of Englebert Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel! Opera San Luis Obispo’s stunning production brings to life the enchanting fairy tale with all the magic, wonder, drama, that has captivated audiences for generations.

Performed in English, experience this timeless story like never before, produced at grand scale with two-story woodland sets, vivid costumes, mesmerizing choreography, chorus, ballet, and one of the largest orchestras Miossi Hall has ever seen! Featuring an internationally acclaimed cast, our production promises to immerse patrons moment-to-moment in Humperdinck’s unforgettable score with stage direction by Justine Prado, choreography by Drew Silvaggio, all accompanied by the OperaSLO Grand Orchestra conducted by Brian Asher Alhadeff.

LISTEN TO THE OPERASLO GRAND ORCHESTRA PERFORM THE OVERTURE TO CARMEN FROM OUR 2021 NEW YEARS EVE GALA

About Hansel and Gretel

Hansel and Gretel is an opera by Engelbert Humperdinck, first performed in 1893. Based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, the opera tells the story of two poor siblings who get lost in the woods and encounter a witch living in a gingerbread house. With a libretto by Humperdinck’s sister, Adelheid Wette, the work blends folk songs with Wagnerian orchestration, creating music that’s rich yet approachable. Famous for its lush melodies, including the "Evening Prayer," Hansel and Gretel is often considered a Christmas tradition in German-speaking countries. It’s admired for its blend of dark fairy-tale elements and enchanting music, striking a balance between childlike innocence and operatic sophistication.