Engelbert Humperdinck

Born September 1, 1854 in Siegburg, Germany

Died September 27, 1921

Nationality: German

Period/Style: Romantic

About the composer:

Engelbert Humperdinck spent his life in several different jobs including teaching, conducting, and writing as a music critic.  He even tutored private students.  But as a composer he is famous for only one thing: he wrote the music to the beautiful opera “Hansel and Gretel” and his sister wrote the libretto (the words to the opera). He actually did write one other opera called “The King’s Children” but it is hardly ever performed. His musical setting of the well-known children’s story “Hansel & Gretel” is by far the most familiar of anything he wrote.

About the music:

Overture to “Hansel & Gretel” (approx. 9 min)

We’re going to hear the overture to the opera “Hansel & Gretel.”  An overture is a piece of music played by the orchestra (alone, without singers) before the curtain goes up and the opera begins.  It contains some of the themes (tunes) you will hear later in the opera. In this overture we’ll hear, among other things, the “Children’s Prayer” which is one of the most moving and beautiful parts of the opera.

Suggested activity:

Read the story of Hansel & Gretel.  Take turns reading aloud.