Hansel and Gretel: An Opera Fantasy 1954

Mother scolds Hansel and Gretel at home

Hansel and Gretel lounge at home, daydreaming and singing about food. Their mother returns and is upset by their lack of work. She orders them to go into the woods to pick strawberries.

Father brings food; mother sends the children to the woods

Their father arrives with food bought with money earned from selling brooms. The mother tells him she has sent Hansel and Gretel into the woods to gather strawberries. The family remains concerned about their absence.

Parents venture into the woods and are misled by the witch

Seeking their missing children, the parents venture into the woods. They are misled by Rosina Rubylips, the witch, who appears to guide them away. The deception foreshadows the danger that awaits Hansel and Gretel.

Hansel and Gretel enter the woods and pick strawberries

Hansel and Gretel head into the forest, following their mother's orders to pick strawberries. They fill baskets with fruit and, tempted by hunger, end up eating them all. The day shifts toward evening as they stroll deeper into the woods.

The Sandman appears and the children fall asleep

As night approaches, a mysterious man reveals himself as the Sandman and sings to the children. They listen entranced and drift into sleep. The dream opens with angels, setting the stage for the magical journey to come.

A candy house appears

When they awake, a candy house appears before them, inviting with sweet scents. The imagery lures them closer, and they approach with curiosity. The magical dwelling signals a new danger hidden inside.

The witch traps Hansel and forces Gretel to fatten him up

The witch Rosina Rubylips traps Hansel in a cage and forces Gretel to help fatten him up for eating. They realize the sinister plot only after the trap is sprung. Gretel pretends to cooperate while searching for a way to escape.

Gretel outsmarts the witch and pushes her into the oven

Gretel outsmarts the witch by tricking her into checking the oven. She pushes the witch into the blazing oven and the house begins to crumble. The lair disappears, exposing the threat behind the sweet facade.

Gingerbread yard figures are real children

The yard's gingerbread figures are revealed to be real children who had been transformed. Hansel and Gretel awaken them, breaking the spell as a gingerbread statue of the witch remains in her place.

Parents locate the siblings and they begin the journey home

Father and mother locate the siblings, and the family reunites with relief. They decide to return home together, filled with gratitude. The group begins to walk back, singing to celebrate their survival.

Deranged animals join the return journey

A pair of deranged, goofy animals accompany them on the return journey. The animals provide comic relief as they trudge through the woods. Their odd presence adds a lighthearted note to the tense adventure.