Hansel and Gretel Venice Tickets 2027
Hansel and Gretel Venice at Malibran Theatre, Venice. Compare the scheduled performances and choose your preferred date.
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Why see Hansel and Gretel at Teatro Malibran
Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel turned a Brothers Grimm fairy tale into one of the best-loved operas ever written. First heard in 1893 under the baton of the young Richard Strauss, it wraps a simple story — two hungry children lost in the forest, a cottage made of gingerbread, and the witch who means to eat them — in a richly Wagnerian orchestra threaded with folk-like tunes children can hum all the way home.
Its most celebrated moment is the “Evening Prayer,” in which Hansel and Gretel, bedding down in the dark wood, sing of the fourteen angels who keep watch over them as sleep descends and a shimmering “Dream Pantomime” unfolds. Add the giddy dance duet “Brother, come and dance with me,” the Sandman and the Dew Fairy, and the witch’s glittering gingerbread house, and you have an opera that enchants first-timers and lifelong opera-goers alike. Teatro Malibran, the historic Venetian house near the Rialto that serves as La Fenice’s second stage, is an ideal place to discover it.
Teatro Malibran
Teatro Malibran is one of the oldest and most atmospheric theatres in Venice. Opened in 1678 and today the second stage of the Fondazione Teatro La Fenice, it stands near the Rialto, on the site traditionally linked to the family home of Marco Polo — an intimate, history-soaked setting for opera, ballet and concerts.
Venice has no cars: arrive on foot or by vaporetto (water bus), with Rialto the nearest stop, a short walk through the lanes to the theatre. Allow a little extra time — half the pleasure is finding your way through Venice on the way.
Hansel and Gretel Venice — Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is Hansel and Gretel performed? Performances take place at Teatro Malibran, the historic theatre near the Rialto that acts as Teatro La Fenice’s second home in Venice. Compare the dates above to choose the performance that best suits your trip.
What should I expect, and what language is it sung in? Humperdinck’s fairy-tale opera is sung in its original German and runs to a few tuneful acts filled with storybook characters — the Sandman, the Dew Fairy and the gingerbread witch. Melodic, colourful and famously family-friendly, it is one of the most approachable operas for children and first-time listeners.
How do I get to Teatro Malibran? Since Venice has no cars, you travel on foot or by water. The closest vaporetto (water-bus) stop is Rialto, and from there the Malibran is a short walk through the streets just behind the Rialto Bridge.
Hänsel und Gretel Opera Tickets Venice 2027
Buy Hänsel und Gretel opera tickets and experience Engelbert Humperdinck’s magical fairy tale at Teatro Malibran in Venice.
The new La Fenice production will be presented across five performances from February 19 to 27, 2027. Xu Zhong conducts the La Fenice Orchestra and Choir, joined by the children’s choir Piccoli Cantori Veneziani, in a work that combines fantasy, family drama and richly coloured orchestral music.
Choose your preferred performance and book your Hansel and Gretel tickets in Venice before the most suitable seating categories become limited.
Hansel and Gretel at Teatro Malibran
Inspired by the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, Hänsel und Gretel follows two children who become lost in the forest after leaving their family home.
As night falls, the forest transforms into a mysterious world of dreams, supernatural figures and hidden dangers. Hänsel and Gretel eventually discover a house made from sweets, but the welcoming appearance conceals the home of a dangerous witch.
The opera combines the darker elements of the traditional story with humour, childhood imagination and a reassuring conclusion. Its accessible plot and memorable music make it a popular choice for both experienced opera audiences and visitors attending an opera for the first time.
The official title is Hänsel und Gretel, although the work is widely searched for internationally as Hansel and Gretel.
Humperdinck’s fairy-tale opera
Hänsel und Gretel is described as a dramatic fairy tale in three scenes, with music by Engelbert Humperdinck and a libretto by his sister Adelheid Wette.
Humperdinck belonged to Richard Wagner’s close artistic circle and assisted with the preparation of Parsifal in Bayreuth. Wagner’s influence can be heard in the opera’s rich orchestral writing, recurring musical ideas and atmospheric treatment of the forest.
However, Hänsel und Gretel also has a distinctive character of its own. Humperdinck combines sophisticated orchestration with folk-inspired melodies, children’s songs and warm lyrical passages.
Well-known musical moments include the children’s evening prayer and the dream sequence that closes the second scene. The result is an opera that can appeal to families while still offering the musical depth expected from a major repertory work.
A new La Fenice production
The 2027 performances will present a new staging created for La Fenice, directed by Cecilia Ligorio.
The production team includes:
- Conductor: Xu Zhong
- Director: Cecilia Ligorio
- Sets: Gregorio Zurla
- Costumes: Vera Pierantoni Giua
- Lighting: Fiammetta Baldiserri
The new production will bring Humperdinck’s forest, dream world and gingerbread house to the stage of Teatro Malibran. The combination of new scenery, costumes and lighting should give the familiar fairy tale a fresh visual identity.
This production also marks the opera’s return to Venice after an absence of more than thirty years.
Hänsel und Gretel cast in Venice
The announced cast includes:
- Hänsel: Michela Guarrera
- Gretel: Chiara Maria Fiorani
- Peter: David Pogana
- Gertrud: Nicole Piccolomini
- The Witch: Arlene Miatto Albeldas
- The Sandman and Dew Fairy: Vittoriana De Amicis
The remaining roles will be announced closer to the performances.
The La Fenice Orchestra and Choir will be joined by the Piccoli Cantori Veneziani, whose participation is especially important in the opera’s ensemble and children’s scenes.
Opera at Teatro Malibran
Although the production forms part of La Fenice’s 2026/27 season, the performances take place at Teatro Malibran, not inside the main La Fenice Opera House.
Teatro Malibran is one of Venice’s historic performance venues and offers a more intimate setting for opera. Its traditional auditorium and central location make it an attractive alternative for visitors looking to experience a La Fenice production in a different Venetian theatre.
The venue should be displayed clearly throughout the booking process so customers do not confuse it with Teatro La Fenice.
Choosing your performance
The production opens on Friday, February 19 at 7:00 PM.
Evening performances are also scheduled for February 23 and 25, while the February 21 and 27 performances begin at 3:30 PM. The afternoon dates may be particularly convenient for families or visitors who prefer to leave the evening free.
All five dates present the same new production, although casting information may be updated before the opening performance.
Buy Hänsel und Gretel tickets
Book your Hänsel und Gretel tickets at Teatro Malibran and discover Humperdinck’s enchanting opera live in Venice.
Select your preferred date and seating category, then complete your reservation before availability becomes limited. Advance booking offers a wider choice of seats for couples, families and groups.
Secure your Hansel and Gretel opera tickets and experience this magical new La Fenice production in Venice in February 2027.
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