Follow the trail of breadcrumbs to this Hansel and Gretel-themed opera in Calgary

The story of Hansel and Gretel is one of literature’s most well-known. But you’ve never seen it quite like this before.

The artistic team at Calgary Opera are bringing this beloved children’s fairy tale to the stage, in operatic form. It’ll be a show for all ages, conjured by a lush score from Engelbert Humperdinck and puppetry from Calgary’s The Old Trout Puppet Workshop.

“This production is particularly special as it is so visually exciting,” said stage director Brenna Corner in a press release. The Old Trout Puppet Workshop are known for captivating and wildly imaginative creations. Handcrafted with care, they’ll bring a signature whimsy to this theatrical production.

With 50 per cent off tickets offered for ages 18 and under, it’s a fantastic way to experience the arts with the whole family.

Follow the trail of breadcrumbs to the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium this Jan. 31 to Feb. 6 to experience these extraordinary sets, costumes and puppet designs for yourself. It’s winter magic for all, geared towards those ages 6+. Here’s what else you can expect at this charming production.

Imaginative puppetry

The Old Trout Puppet Workshop was “founded on a ranch in southern Alberta back in the strange winter of 1999.” In fact, the troupe’s bio speaks to the eclectic nature of their artistic vision.

“We were a small gang of old buddies, with a fondness for beards and wood and wool and other old-fashioned and pleasant things,” they say on their website. “We learned to carve puppets, and paid our rent through wholesome labour; we collected eggs, fed the pigs, cooked big stews, and premiered our first show to a bunkhouse full of cowboys and Hutterites.”

They may have had humble beginnings, but over the past twenty years, the group have toured productions across Canada, into the United States and Europe. They have also designed shows for the National Arts Centre, Theatre Calgary, the Vancouver Opera and San Diego Opera.

You can expect larger-than-life puppetry, extraordinary sets and designs that will transform the stage into an enchanted realm. The Old Trout Puppet Workshop are the right folks for the job.

An evocative score

“The music of Hansel and Gretel is one of the most evocative scores ever written,” said Jonathan Brandani, Conductor and Artistic Director of Calgary Opera, in a press release. “Even though it was composed before the time of movies, it has such a cinematic power that if you close your eyes you’ll feel like you have been transported into a dream-like realm filled with magical creatures.”

This spellbinding performance will whisk you away to the woods alongside Hansel and Gretel, two siblings who are lured to a house made of bread, cake and sugar by a wicked witch (don’t worry — they escape from her clutches).

Don’t miss your chance to catch this magical performance in action!

Calgary Opera presents Hansel & Gretel

When: Saturday, Jan. 31 to Friday, Feb. 6, 2026
Time: 7:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. (matinee)
Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium — 1415 14th Ave. NW, Calgary
Tickets: $20.55+ (50 per cent off for ages 18 and younger)

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