University of Kentucky Opera Theatre Presents Humperdinck’s
Hansel & Gretel at the Lexington Opera House from Friday, October 3 to Sunday, October 5, 2025
Tickets Available Now via Ticketmaster.com and LexingtonOperaHouse.com
LEXINGTON, KY (July 30, 2025) –– The University of Kentucky Opera Theatre invites audiences of all ages to journey into the magical world of Hansel & Gretel, Engelbert Humperdinck’s heartwarming and haunting operatic adaptation of the Brothers Grimm tale. Performances will take place from Friday, October 3 to Sunday, October 5, 2025, at the Lexington Opera House, featuring a special student and family matinee as well as evening and weekend shows.
Sung in English with English supertitles, Hansel & Gretel brings a tender twist to the classic tale. In this retelling, the children are not abandoned but sent into the forest by their mother to forage for berries in the face of their family’s desperate poverty. Along their journey, they encounter gentle spirits, the Sandman, Dew Fairy, and a host of protective woodland angels, before discovering the witch’s infamous gingerbread house. Set to some of the most stunning music in the operatic repertoire, this production will delight opera newcomers and seasoned audiences alike.
“This opera remains one of the most performed and beloved in the repertoire,” said Dr. Everett McCorvey, director of UK Opera Theatre. “With its themes of sibling love, the importance of caution when confronting strangers, and the iconic ‘Evening Prayer’ duet sung by Hansel and Gretel, it has become a timeless classic. It is widely considered a perfect ‘first’ opera—accessible, enchanting, and meaningful—for both adults and children alike.”
Tickets are available now at Ticketmaster.com, LexingtonOperaHouse.com, or in person at the Central Bank Center Box Office from 12-4 P.M. on Wednesdays and Fridays.
