Engelbert Humperdinck’s “Children’s Prayer” from Hansel and Gretel

Happy holidays everyone!

From Engelbert Humperdinck's opera Hansel and Gretel, this selection is from "Evening Prayer" and was arranged for brass quintet by Brass Over Bridges' hornist Margarite Waddell. 

Often called "Children's Prayer," this music is sung by Hansel and Gretel as they pray before falling asleep, while lost and alone in a forest. The roles of Hansel and Gretel are sung by mezzo-soprano and soprano, respectively. Humperdinck's opera is inspired by German folk melodies, with the Evening Prayer (or Abendsung) being the most famous. Since its earliest days, this opera has been associated with Christmas time.

The music from Hansel and Gretel arose from Humperdinck’s sister asking him to set music to words she had written for children’s songs. The collaborative work was developed and became the opera Hansel and Gretel. The work premiered in 1893, conducted by none other than Humperdinck’s friend and fellow composer, Richard Strauss.