Bio
Engelbert Humperdinck (born 1854 in Siegburg, Germany; died 1921 in Neustrelitz, Germany)- For most famous composers, we have long lists of the pieces they wrote. For example, there are entire libraries of
Bach's, music;
Beethoven wrote nine symphonies, thirty-two
piano sonatas, and many other works; and
Mozart wrote symphonies, operas,
violin and piano sonatas, and many other compositions. Humperdinck is very different. During his life in Germany, he had several different jobs--teaching, conducting, and writing music criticism. At one time he was even hired to tutor the son of the famous composer
Richard Wagner. But he is famous only because he composed the beautiful opera,
Hansel and Gretel for which his sister wrote the libretto (the words to an opera). Another one of his operas,
The King's Children, is also occasionally performed. Although he wrote other music, it is for
Hansel and Gretel, his beautiful setting of the well-known children's story, that he will always be remembered.