Hansel, Gretel and Barbie comes to Palma

German composer Engelbert Humperdinck is best known for his opera Hansel and Gretel.

Loosely based on one of the Grimm Brothers' fairy tales, he began work on this opera in 1890. It premiered in Weimar two days before Christmas in 1893, was conducted by Richard Strauss and was an instant and overwhelming success.

A mark of its popularity was that Hansel and Gretel was the first complete radio opera by the Royal Opera House; this was in 1923. The popularity has seen it be given numerous interpretations, a highly contemporary one now involving video creator Pedro Chamizo. From Merida in Extremadura, he received his degree in dramatic art from the University of Kent.

The Teatre Principal's opera series continues with this interpretation. Aimed at a family audience, the witch is an influencer dubbed the Barbie of the Forest.