What better Christmas treat for everyone than one of the most famous of all fairytales and one of the most richly tuneful of all operas.

The Royal Opera brings back to the stage the beautiful and delightful production by the favourite directing team of Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier. Charles Mackerras and Rory Macdonald conduct a score that is packed with delights - the instantly memorable songs of the children, the atmospheric forest sounds, and the wonderful lilting waltz when Hansel and Gretel discover the gingerbread house. And then there's the wicked witch, with a kitchen that's maybe a bit scary for some of the youngest family members - after all, she does bake children into biscuits! But the ending is happy and the music triumphant, especially when sung by a charismatic cast to bring all the fun of the characters to life.

Hansel and Gretel is a great way for everyone to enjoy the special thrill and charm of opera in live performance - whether for a seasonal family outing or the discovery of a classic work that has so much contemporary appeal.

Sung in German with English surtitles.