Forgotten Musicals - Victor Herbert and Naughty Marietta
I try again to bring to life some of the great musicals of the past seldom seen on stage today.
Victor Herbert (1859 – 1924) was an Irish-born American composer, best remembered as the father of American musical theatre.
Born in Dublin, Ireland , he was raised primarily in Germany, where he received a strong musical education in Stuttgart, studying cello and composition.
In 1886, Herbert emigrated to the United States with his wife, soprano Therese Förster, who had joined the Metropolitan Opera. He quickly established himself in New York as a cellist in the Met orchestra, and began composing. His early works included cello concertos and orchestral pieces performed by the New York Philharmonic.
His greatest fame, however, came from the stage. Starting with Prince Ananias (1894), he composed more than 40 musicals, including enduring hits like The Serenade (1897), Babes in Toyland (1903), Mademoiselle Modiste (1905), Naughty Marietta (1910) and Sweethearts (1913). His music was noted for its melodic richness, romantic charm, and skillful orchestration.
Herbert died suddenly of a heart attack in New York City at age 65 while working on music for the Ziegfeld Follies. His prolific output and vibrant melodies left a lasting imprint on American light music and Broadway, influencing generations of composers who followed.
Naughty Marietta, set in New Orleans when the Vieux Carré was still the Nouveau Carré, is probably his best known work and its best known song is Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life. Here we have it sung by Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy from the 1935 film. Unfortunately the film mangles the plot and cuts half the songs but MacDonald and Eddy in their first musical together steal the show.
[media=https://youtu.be/nh-i81KFeJ8?si=HKBxOA0qGgwusyoG]
This old TV version doesn’t mangle the plot quite so much if you want to see the whole thing.
[media=https://youtu.be/GY0DXa3jNYA?si=H-IUsvgkF31HOvJb]
Victor Herbert (1859 – 1924) was an Irish-born American composer, best remembered as the father of American musical theatre.
Born in Dublin, Ireland , he was raised primarily in Germany, where he received a strong musical education in Stuttgart, studying cello and composition.
In 1886, Herbert emigrated to the United States with his wife, soprano Therese Förster, who had joined the Metropolitan Opera. He quickly established himself in New York as a cellist in the Met orchestra, and began composing. His early works included cello concertos and orchestral pieces performed by the New York Philharmonic.
His greatest fame, however, came from the stage. Starting with Prince Ananias (1894), he composed more than 40 musicals, including enduring hits like The Serenade (1897), Babes in Toyland (1903), Mademoiselle Modiste (1905), Naughty Marietta (1910) and Sweethearts (1913). His music was noted for its melodic richness, romantic charm, and skillful orchestration.
Herbert died suddenly of a heart attack in New York City at age 65 while working on music for the Ziegfeld Follies. His prolific output and vibrant melodies left a lasting imprint on American light music and Broadway, influencing generations of composers who followed.
Naughty Marietta, set in New Orleans when the Vieux Carré was still the Nouveau Carré, is probably his best known work and its best known song is Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life. Here we have it sung by Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy from the 1935 film. Unfortunately the film mangles the plot and cuts half the songs but MacDonald and Eddy in their first musical together steal the show.
[media=https://youtu.be/nh-i81KFeJ8?si=HKBxOA0qGgwusyoG]
This old TV version doesn’t mangle the plot quite so much if you want to see the whole thing.
[media=https://youtu.be/GY0DXa3jNYA?si=H-IUsvgkF31HOvJb]
56-60, M