The opera Hansel and Gretel - postage stamp Cat.No. 2420 mint never hinged, Germany

Engelbert Humperdinck , born on September 1, 1854 in Siegburg, began his studies at the Cologne Conservatory.

After winning the Frankfurt Mozart Prize, he continued his studies in Munich with Franz Lachner and at the Royal Music School with Gabriel Josef Rheinberger. In 1880 Humperdinck made the acquaintance of Richard Wagner, who entrusted him with central tasks in the preparation of the premiere of his "Parsival" in 1882 in Bayreuth. Subsequently, Humperdinck taught at the conservatories in Barcelona and Cologne and worked as a lecturer at the music publisher Schott.

On December 23, 1893, his opera "H & auml; nsel und Gretel" premiered in Weimar. It should become a worldwide success and bring the composer fame and financial independence. The melodies "Suse, dear Suse, was rustling in the straw", "Brother, come and dance with me", "Knusper, Knusper, Kn & auml ;uschen" or "A little girl stands in the forest" became true folk songs, such as The rest of Engelbert Humperdinck's work is also characterized by melodies inspired by folk songs. In 1900 he followed the call to head a master class for composition at the Royal Academy of Arts in Berlin. There he succeeded Max Bruch in 1911 as director of the theory and composition department at the Royal University of Music. Humperdinck was primarily a stage and vocal composer. In addition to the vocal works, the theatrical music, especially for dramas by William Shakespeare, is another focus of his work.

Engelbert Humperdinck died on September 27, 1921 in Neustrelitz, his work "H & auml; nsel und Gretel" is one of the most frequently performed operas internationally.