Adelheid Wette

Born in Siegburg in 1858, Adelheid Wette was a German author, composer, and folklorist. She is most often remembered for writing the libretto for Hansel and Gretel, the opera composed by her brother Engelbert Humperdinck, a collaboration that helped turn a familiar Grimm tale into one of the best-known fairy-tale operas.

Wette's work grew out of a strong interest in folklore and storytelling, and her writing is closely linked with the world of children's literature and traditional tales. Although her brother's music became more famous, her contribution to the shape, tone, and dramatic life of Hansel and Gretel remains central to the work's lasting appeal.

She died in 1916 in Eberstadt near Darmstadt. Today, she is remembered as an important creative partner in one of the most enduring musical retellings of a classic fairy tale.