University of Kentucky Opera Theatre Presents Humperdinck’s Hansel & Gretel at the Lexington Opera House from Friday, October 3 to Sunday, October 5, 2025
LEXINGTON, KY (July 30, 2025) –– The University of Kentucky Opera Theatre invites audiences of all ages to journey into the magical world of Hansel & Gretel, Engelbert Humperdinck’s heartwarming and haunting operatic adaptation of the Brothers Grimm tale. Performances will take place from Friday, October 3 to Sunday, October 5, 2025, at the Lexington Opera House, featuring a special student and family matinee as well as evening and weekend shows.
Sung in English with English supertitles, Hansel & Gretel brings a tender twist to the classic tale. In this retelling, the children are not abandoned but sent into the forest by their mother to forage for berries in the face of their family’s desperate poverty. Along their journey, they encounter gentle spirits, the Sandman, Dew Fairy, and a host of protective woodland angels, before discovering the witch’s infamous gingerbread house. Set to some of the most stunning music in the operatic repertoire, this production will delight opera newcomers and seasoned audiences alike.
“This opera remains one of the most performed and beloved in the repertoire,” said Dr. Everett McCorvey, director of UK Opera Theatre. “With its themes of sibling love, the importance of caution when confronting strangers, and the iconic ‘Evening Prayer’ duet sung by Hansel and Gretel, it has become a timeless classic. It is widely considered a perfect ‘first’ opera—accessible, enchanting, and meaningful—for both adults and children alike.”
Tickets are available now at Ticketmaster.com, LexingtonOperaHouse.com, or in person at the Central Bank Center Box Office from 12-4 P.M. on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Venue Contact:
Megan Garrett | MGarrett@centralbankcenter.com
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About UK Opera Theatre
Part of the University of Kentucky School of Music in the College of Fine Arts, UK Opera Theatre has earned national recognition for producing fully staged operas and musical theatre works. Under the leadership of Dr. Everett McCorvey, the program showcases the vocal talents of UK’s voice students while engaging the Lexington community through high-quality, accessible productions.
About Lexington Opera House
Located in Lexington, Kentucky, the Lexington Center Corporation (LCC) is a not-for-profit 501c3 corporate agency of the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government. It was established in 1974 to manage and maintain Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center, the Central Bank Center (formerly Lexington Convention Center), Triangle Park, and the Lexington Opera House. One of the nation’s most storied entertainment destinations, Central Bank Center venues collectively welcome an average of 1.3 million patrons annually.
The Lexington Opera House, built in 1886 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is one of the premier performing arts centers in the region. Since its opening, the Opera House has played host to such famous stage performers as W.C. Fields, The Marx Brothers, Al Jolson, Julie Harris, Steve Martin, Brian Wilson, and Graham Nash. It has undergone two major renovations and remains a cultural destination in downtown Lexington.
About Oak View Group
Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class-owned venues and a client roster of arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. Founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015, OVG is the leading developer of major new venues either open or under development across four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.