What awaits Hansel and Gretel after they get lost in the forest? The German composer Engelbert Humperdinck transformed the classic Grimm brothers’ fairy tale into an opera with a libretto by his sister Adelheid Wette. Humperdinck’s music is marked by a masterful portrayal of scenes and settings, overflowing with beautiful melodies. Under his pen, fairy-tale characters come to life: woodland fairies, the wicked witch, and children made of gingerbread. Since its premiere in 1893, this opera has enchanted generations of audiences and rightfully belongs among the ten most popular works of the world repertoire. After a long 36 years, it now returns to Plzeň. Don’t worry—everything turns out well in the end!

Hansel and Gretel

Theater of JK Tyl New Stage

As an example, we can mention Hana Glawari's song about the Vilja fairy or the Danila song about his debauchery at the Maxim’s nightclub. The Merry Widow also belongs to those few operettas, whose libretto can attract audiences even in the 21st century. The story, set in Paris in 1905, is immensely theatrical and offers an important storyline and witty dialogues. The Merry Widow premiered on 30 December 1905 at the Na Vídeňce Theatre in Vienna. In Pilsen it was first shown in 1907 and it has never disappeared from the repertory for a long time. This time, the production is presented to the audience in a co-production with the Prague’s Karlín Theatre.

The merry widow

The powerful story of The Dogheads, one of Alois Jirásek’s most celebrated works, seems destined for the operatic stage. In 1897, the experienced composer and conductor Karel Kovařovic took on the challenge and created an opera that triumphed in the competition for a new Czech opera, surpassing Fibich and Foerster. Soon after, The Dogheads spread to opera houses across the Czech lands and won the hearts of a wide audience.

The Dogheads

Verdi said that for his new opera he was looking for a subject depicting "people of special characters as bearers of courageous and varied deeds." He found it in García Gutiérrez's successful drama set in 15th-century Spain. Verdi set this chivalric drama full of twists and turns and compelling denouements to music with typical romantic emotion, and it definitely does not lack magnificent melodies.

Jana Piorecká

Events

Upcoming events

Sep 5, 2026

Hansel and Gretel · J.K. Tyl Theatre

Sep 20, 2026

The merry widow · J.K. Tyl Theatre

24 - 25 Sep, 2026

The Dogheads · J.K. Tyl Theatre

Sep 26, 2026

The Troubadour · J.K. Tyl Theatre

Future and recently performed repertoire

Jeníček in Hansel and Gretel by Humperdinck

J.K. Tyl Theatre

Sylvia, Bogdanovičova žena in The Merry Widow by Lehár

J.K. Tyl Theatre

Ines in The Troubadour by Verdi

J.K. Tyl Theatre

Kateřina, jeho žena in The Dogheads by Kovařovic

J.K. Tyl Theatre

About

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