The 2015-2016 opera season began with gusto as the Charles and Reta Ralph Opera Center at Colorado State University opened with Hansel and Gretel by Engelbert Humperdinck, directed by Tiffany Blake, with the CSU Sinfonia Orchestra, conducted by Mariusz Smolij and Adam Torres. 

Based on the classic fairy tale from the Brothers Grimm, the opera tells the tale of two children who happen upon a mysterious gingerbread house in the woods and its rather witchy homeowner.

With spectacular production design and solid vocal performances, CSU’s rendition of Humperdinck’s work moved fluidly throughout the story as the two young children, sent away to find food in the dark and dreary forest, encounter an enchanting fairy, fashionable woodland creatures, and ultimately a gregarious and over-the-top sorcerous. Not to mention several other fun surprises along the way.

The performance was grounded visually with elegantly simple lighting and set design, highlighting the vocalists as they moved throughout the shifting scenery of the woods. The costumes too, added and created depth to the well-known characters, establishing a theme that made it easy for the audience to become engaged throughout.

With a candy cottage entering on moving, lifelike feet; giant canvas trees that swayed in the breeze; and woodland animals settled perfectly in a world somewhere between a Lewis Carrol tea party and a Greek-era chorus, the whole story felt grounded in a tangible and yet fantastical world.

Nearly 1,500 patrons, including 100s of children, enjoyed seeing Hansel and Gretel, Nov. 6 through 14 at the University Center for the Arts.

~ by Spencer Gillard