Engelbert Humperdinck
(1854-1921). A German composer most famous for his 1893 opera Hansel and Gretel. He studied under Richard Wagner and was greatly influenced by Wagner's works. Humperdinck began work on Hansel and Gretel in 1890, his first 4 songs for the opera were written to accompany a puppet show put on by his nieces. His sister Adelheid Wette, a composer, wrote the libretto for the opera and Engelbert composed the songs.
The Brothers Grimm
Jacob (1785-1863) and Wilhelm (1786-1859) were German brothers famous for their collections of published folk and fairy tales. They wrote down popular German and Scandinavian folk tales, many of which had been orally passed down for centuries and were now printed and presverved for the first time. The first volume of their stories, Kinder- und Hausmarchen (English Title: Grimm's Fairy Tales) was published in 1812. It included Hansel and Gretel, a story originating from the Baltic Region from around 1315.
The Grimm Brothers first publication was not meant for children...but for adults? Originally titled "Children's and Household Tales" in 1812, this was misinterpreted to be for children, when it really is about children.
Historical Background of the Fairy Tale
The inspiration for Hansel and Gretel comes from the Great Famine of 1315-1317, a period of dire conditions across Europe. This famine was caused by the Little Ice Age and all of the devastating weather that came with it. Many were without food, forcing some parents to abandon their children due to their inability to care for them. Meanwhile, others took more drastic measures and resorted to cannibalism.