Modern German and Bohemian Opera
Wagner’s powerful influence upon German opera produced countless imitators. For some reason or other it appeared to be almost impossible for other German composers to assimilate his ideas and yet impart originality to their scores. Among those who took his works for a model were Peter Cornelius, Hermann Goetz, and Carl Goldmark.
Perhaps the most important contribution to German opera during the decade that followed Wagner’s death was Humperdinck’s “Hänsel und Gretel.” Then came Richard Strauss with his “Feuersnot,” “Salome,” “Elektra,” and “Der Rosenkavalier.”
The most famous representative of the Bohemian school of opera, which is closely allied to the German, is Smetana.