One of my earliest experiences of going to the opera was a family trip to Sadler’s Wells in London to see a performance of the evergreen children’s favourite Hansel and Gretel. I recall being enchanted and frightened by turns.

Since then I haven’t thought much about Engelbert Humperdinck’s entertaining mixture of fairy tales and folk tunes, much less sat down and listened to it.

Until, that is, this latest concert featuring Sydney Symphony Orchestra under its Principal Guest Conductor Donald Runnicles, who closed the first half with a 27-minute suite of orchestral excerpts from the opera arranged by Omar Abad.

But before we got to that the program opened with one of the finest of most concise overtures in the canon with Ludwig van Beethoven’s The Creatures of Prometheus, four minutes encompassing pomp and nobility with light-footed strings and winds and dance rhythms that raise a smile.

Donald Runnicles conducts the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Photo © Jay Patel

From the opening quartet of french horns sounding the noble tune Evening Prayer from Hansel and Gretel, the audience was coaxed into agreeing with the conductor’s introductory remarks that far from being kids’ play Humperdinck’s...