This is very definitely an opera -- there's no spoken dialogue at all, but because of the use of folk songs, it's a very unique type of performance.

I like folk songs, but ten horses couldn't bring me to a concert or an opera.

Europeans love American spirituals and folk songs. We also pick folks songs in Spanish that show the connections between cultures related to Spain.

Last week in all media classes, we read Chinese folk tales and I did a presentation on China.

When the witch is done away with at the end, all the gingerbread kids turn back into children, so they really are the finale, the good triumphing over evil.

The story, of course, is the well-known children's tale, and the music is appropriate for very young children, who are able to follow the story, and the more sophisticated musical audience. There's definitely an appeal for families who might be nervous about viewing opera for the first time, and the seasoned audiences who are more experienced with traditional musical scores.