Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

Germany

Birth

:

September 1, 1854 in Siegburg, Germany

Death

:

September 27, 1921 in Neustrelitz, Germany

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

Engelbert Humperdinck was a German composer born on September 1, 1854, in Siegburg, Germany. He was the seventh of ten children born to a schoolmaster and his wife. His father was a music lover and encouraged his children to pursue music. Humperdinck showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at a young age. Humperdinck studied music at the Cologne Conservatory, where he was a student of Ferdinand Hiller. He also studied with Franz Liszt in Weimar. After completing his studies, Humperdinck worked as a music teacher and conductor in various cities in Germany. In 1890, Humperdinck was asked by his sister to write music for a play she had written for her children. The play was based on the fairy tale "Hansel and Gretel." Humperdinck was inspired by the story and wrote an opera based on it. The opera premiered in Weimar in 1893 and was an immediate success. It was later performed in other cities in Germany and throughout Europe. "Hansel and Gretel" is Humperdinck's most famous work. It is a fairy tale opera that tells the story of two children who get lost in the woods and are captured by a witch. The opera is known for its beautiful melodies and lush orchestration. It has become a holiday tradition in many countries and is often performed during the Christmas season. Humperdinck went on to write several other operas, including "Königskinder" (1897), "Die Heirat wider Willen" (1905), and "Die Marketenderin" (1914). However, none of these operas achieved the same level of success as "Hansel and Gretel." In addition to his operas, Humperdinck also wrote several choral works, including "Te Deum" (1900) and "Missa brevis" (1902). He also wrote instrumental music, including a suite for piano and orchestra (1895) and a string quartet (1920). Humperdinck was a respected music educator and taught at the Berlin Conservatory from 1911 to 1920. He was also a member of the Prussian Academy of Arts and was awarded the Order of the Red Eagle in 1912. Humperdinck died on September 27, 1921, in Neustrelitz, Germany. He was 67 years old. His legacy lives on through his music, particularly "Hansel and Gretel," which remains one of the most beloved operas of all time.

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