Engelbert Humperdinck, Composer. 1854 - 1921
The orginal Engelbert Humperdinck was born in Siegburg, near the City of Bonn, and studied music at Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt and Berlin. He is best-known as the composer of the children's fairy tale opera Hansel and Gretel, but few of his other works are known. Hardly a prolific composer, he wrote other operas including Die Königskinder (The King's Children) and The Miracle. Other pieces include Around The World In 80 Minutes and German Romantic Overtures.
He taught music and composition in Berlin, and tutored Siegfried Wagner (Wagner's son) as well as working with Max Reinhardt to provide music for a variety of Shakespearean productions. Obviously, in the world of fame, precedence is not a factor. More people have heard of the singer than the songwriter.
A photo of the gent shows that he looks like Robert Llewelyn (who played Kryten in the TV series Red Dwarf), only with a severe-looking handlebar moustache. Clearly, this guy never had women throwing their knickers at him. Shame, we might see more of him on the telly today.
He died on 26th September, 1921 as a result of a heart attack.