The five shows you must see in December

The National Opera, Hänsel und Gretel (opera)

It is the most famous fairy tale opera of all time. Not surprisingly, as Humperdinck's adaptation of Hansel and Gretel is overtly rooted in folk music as in almost Wagnerian orchestration. This was bound to be a success. Richard Strauss conducted the world premiere; Amsterdam features International Opera Award Winner Lotte de Beer's version. She moves the fairy tale to the slums of Brazil. playlist

Order of the Day, Olds & News show 2015 (drama, cabaret, improvisation)

It says drama, cabaret, improvisation. There might as well have been no idea can stand. For the Olds & News show of the Zuidelijk Toneel and Nieuw Utrechts Toneel is many things, but cannot be pigeonholed. Yes, the year 2015 is passing by. But how? In what form? And we don't need to talk about the order at all, because this year it will be decided by the visitor. What does that mean? Well this. And this. playlist

Lowland, Visit for bear (youth 4+)

Visit! Who doesn't like that? Well, bear doesn't. Bear hates visitors. But mouse doesn't care about that. The Lowlands, which previously worked with Boys of the past and Robin Hood already impressed, transformed Bonny Becker and Kady MacDonald Denton's children's book into an energising performance. playlist

Holland Opera, Redhead (opera/youth 6+)

It is becoming a tradition: the kick-off for the Christmas holidays takes place in Amersfoort, at Holland Opera. Last year the company made a big impression with Suikertantes, this year Red Riding Hood takes centre stage, but as Redhead from the wolf's perspective. playlist

Dutch Travel Opera, Amahl and the Night Visitors (opera/youth 9+)

To speak of a miracle is going a bit far, but on Christmas Eve 1951, an opera composed especially for television was broadcast for the first time. In the United States, Menotti's opera was an instant success; it wasn't until 1965 that Amahl and the Night Visitors for the first time in the Netherlands, but that was a guest performance from New York. In 1988, Operalab staged its own production, and it was another quarter-century of waiting before the Nederlandse Reisopera finally staged the overtly Puccini-influenced 50-minute Christmas opera. Unfortunately, only three performances are planned, as part of the Hieronymus Bosch year; Menotti drew inspiration for the opera from The adoration of the three kings From Bosch. playlist