Angela Mortellaro and Stephanie Lauricella are the kids, while veteran mezzo Marianne Cornetti sends the witch’s arias skyward (Nov. Minnesota Opera returns to the forest in a production directed by renowned choreographer Doug Varone. The Minnesota Orchestra has offered “Hansel and Gretel” in semi-staged fashion in more recent years. “Hansel and Gretel”: Back in the 1980s, Minnesota Opera made a Christmastime tradition of producing Engelbert Humperdinck’s Grimm tale of the woods-wandering siblings and the witch who imagines them delicious. It revolves around the love triangle of a saloon keeper (English soprano Claire Rutter in her company debut), an outlaw (Rafael Davila) and a corrupt sheriff portrayed by Greer Grimsley, who offered an impressive turn in the title role of “Macbeth” last month. “La Fanciulla del West”: Long before the advent of the “Spaghetti Western,” Puccini gave a Wild West tale the romantic Italian treatment. Paul’s Ordway Center for the Performing Arts during its 52nd season. Here’s what Minnesota Opera will be offering at St. Among them are a Giacomo Puccini opera the company has never presented, as well as a world premiere by composer Kevin Puts, who won a Pulitzer Prize the last time he linked up with Minnesota Opera for “Silent Night.” The 2014-15 season announced Thursday features five fresh productions, all of them bringing new approaches, sets and costumes to works that are (mostly) at least a century old. What’s new at Minnesota Opera? Well, everything next season.

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