Hänsel and Gretel

After a night in the forest, far away from their parents, Hansel and Gretel can't believe their eyes: a house made entirely of gingerbread! At first the witch living in the house sounds quite friendly, but soon she shows her true colours: Hansel is locked in a cage. Will Gretel succeed in saving her brother?

Karl Dönch's production of Engelbert Humperdinck's fairy tale opera has lost none of its fascination over the years! The indispensable classic in the repertoire of the Volksoper never fails to thrill, complete with the witch's flight over the orchestra pit.

Recommended from 6 years

Act One
Hansel and Gretel are supposed to help their parents by working, but they would rather play. Their mother is very angry with them. She sends the children out into the forest to gather berries. Otherwise they will have nothing for supper. The children’s father, a broom-maker, comes home. He is happy because he has sold a lot of brooms. The children’s mother tells him that the children are in the forest. He is shocked, fearing that they might have lost their way and ended up at the house of the wicked witch.
Act Two
While they have been looking for berries, Hansel and Gretel have lost their way in the heart of the forest. It is getting dark and the children are tired. The Sand Man comes and scatters sand in their eyes, and Hansel and Gretel fall asleep. They are watched over by guardian angels who come down from Heaven specially to make sure that nothing happens to them.
Act Three
Next morning the children are woken by the Dew Fairy. Seeing the gingerbread house, they go and start nibbling at it. The wicked witch comes out of the house and casts a spell on Hansel and Gretel. She locks Hansel in a cage in order to fatten him up and roast him for her dinner. Gretel is supposed to help her in the house. She overhears the witch’s magic spell, by which she has brought all the children who have passed by into her power. Gretel pretends not to be clever enough to perform the task of taking some gingerbread out of the oven. The witch shows her how to do it. Quickly Gretel frees her brother from the cage and they both push the witch into the oven. All the other children are released from their enchantment by Gretel. Finally, the parents find Hansel and Gretel, and all join in a happy song of praise.

program

Hänsel und Gretel
Oper von Engelbert Humperdinck
In deutscher Sprache mit deutschen und englischen Übertiteln

Place

Volksoper Vienna – A Musical Theater of Tradition, Diversity, and Joy

The Volksoper Vienna is one of Austria’s leading opera houses and an essential part of Vienna’s vibrant cultural scene. Renowned for its diverse program, which includes opera, operetta, musicals, and ballet, it provides high-quality entertainment appealing to audiences of all ages.

Since its opening in 1898, the Volksoper has delighted visitors with charming productions, outstanding artists, and a unique blend of tradition and modernity. Among the classics regularly performed are world-famous operettas such as Johann Strauss’s "Die Fledermaus" or Franz Lehár’s "The Merry Widow," along with renowned operas, musicals, and contemporary performances.

The Volksoper is celebrated for its lively atmosphere and audience-friendly performances, focusing equally on entertainment and musical excellence.

Getting There by Public Transport

Subway:

• U6 Station Währinger Straße – Volksoper – direct access

Tram:

• Lines 40, 41, 42 (Währinger Straße/Volksoper stop) – directly in front of the venue

Bus:

• Line 40A (Währinger Straße/Volksoper stop)

Thanks to its excellent public transport connections, the venue is easily accessible.

Volksoper Vienna – A Venue Filled with Musical Passion

With its distinctive charm, diverse program, and outstanding artistic quality, the Volksoper Vienna remains an essential cornerstone of the city’s cultural life.