Engelbert Humperdinck

Hansel and Gretel: Prelude

Hänsel und Gretel, a Märchenspiel (Fairy-tale opera) in three acts, was written by Engelbert Humperdinck (1854-1921) in 1890-1892, with a libretto by his sister Adelheid Wette. Humperdinck began to work on the opera upon the request of his sister for a set of four songs for her children to perform, based on the well-known Brothers Grimm tale. From these four songs, the composer worked it into first a singspiel, then a full opera that premiered on December 23, 1893 at the Hoftheater in Weimar, under the baton of the composer's friend, Richard Strauss. An immediate success, the opera was quickly associated with Christmas and is most frequently performed during the holiday season. The overture/prelude is also often performed around Christmas time. Instrumentation: 2+Picc.2.2.2: 4.2.3.1: Timp.Perc(3): Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set).