Teri Michel didn’t feel like she was in Big Sky country Sunday afternoon.

“I felt like I was in New York,” she said as she walked out of the movie theater.

Area residents like Michel don’t have to travel to New York City to enjoy an opera at the Metropolitan Opera House because Cinemark is offering live simulcasts. The most recent opera, an ecore showing of Engelbert Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel” was shown on Sunday.

The dark fairytale of siblings lost in the woods pursued by a witch who seeks to devour them attracted patrons of all ages. Michel, mother of 10, was accompanied by daughters, Lydia, 16, Tess, 13, Olivia, 11 and Sophia, 4 weeks.

“I had no idea it would be so realistic,” Teri Michel said.

Long-time friends, Elaine Power and Donna Burgess, both in their 80s, were grinning from ear-to-ear during intermission pleased with the performance thus far.

It was the first opera experience for Power, a Helena native. Burgess, on the other hand, has been to three in Europe.

Power enjoyed the experience, but admits it would depend on the opera before she’d decide about attending another.

Burgess on the other hand wouldn’t be so particular.

“I’d have come to whatever one,” Burgess said.

The simulcast offered viewers closed captions and behind-the-scenes looks at the sets and the symphony.

“The words helped because sometimes they are hard to pick up on,” Lydia said.

“It was kind of like watching a foreign movie,” Power said. “It made it easier, particularly in the beginning until you get used to it.”

Burgess said she would have understood the opera, performed in English, without the closed captions, with just a bit of concentration.

Power enjoyed all the behind-the-scenes activity, saying she got a better image of how it all comes together.

“It was interesting to see all the backstage work — to see the makeup and what they do to get ready,” she said.

Those attending the screening got to see a variety of angles and closeups they wouldn’t have experienced had they been at the Lincoln Center.

“It was intense,” Lydia Michel said. “It zoomed in on their faces, something you wouldn’t see at the Met if you were in the back.

The Michels particularly enjoyed the close-up shots of the musicians and watched with intent interest because Lydia, Tess and Olivia play the harp.

“The face of the conductor was really interesting,” Teri said.

One of the best parts for Power’s maiden opera viewing was the music.

“The music was beautiful and I’m mightly pleased that is was in English,” she said.

About 30 people enjoyed Sunday’s encore, and according to Cinemark staff close to 100 people came to the live showing earlier this month.

“It’s such a cultural experience,” Teri said.

Lydia said she was thrilled to be able to attend because she recognizes the unlikihood of the family of 12 heading to New York City to watch an opera.

“I’ve never seen such a high-quality performance, because my experience is limited to what we have in Helena,” she said.

There are six more opera simulcasts schedules at Cinemark in Helena now through April.

Reporter Alana Listoe: 447-4081 or alana.listoe@helenair.com