Opera in German were usually based on stories from Germanic or Arthurian legend. Finally, Wagner built his own opera house at Bayreuth, exclusively dedicated to performing his own works in the style he wanted. Wagner's innovations cast an immense shadow over subsequent composers, who struggled to absorb his influence while retaining their own individuality. One of the most successful composers of the following generation was Humperdinck, whose "Hänsel und Gretel" (1893) still has an assured place in the standard repertoire. Humperdinck turned back to folk song and the tales of the Brothers Grimm for inspiration. Yet, though "Hänsel" is often viewed as the
The New Opera Theatre to found Opera Quotannis, in New York. The New Opera Theatre The New Opera Theatre was a New Orleans-based opera company founded in 1986, with conductor Louise LaBruyère as Music Director and stage director Brian Morgan serving as Artistic Director. It specialized in experimental productions of both ancient and contemporary opera. The ensemble's first production was in April 1987, the world-premiere of Morgan's post-minimalist opera, "s" ("a concerto for stage director"), with Phyllis Treigle as E, and LaBruyère conducting. This was followed later the same year by "Hänsel und Gretel", with identical-twins Libbye and Cyril Hellier in the title roles.