Kevin Clarke
Operetta Research Center
11 December, 2016
There will be a new memorial plaque on Maximilianstraße 56 next year: on February 22, the second anniversary of his death, composer Charles Kalman will get his own “Gedenktafel” on the house where he and his wife Ruth lived till their death.
Composer Charles Kálmán, shortly before his death. (Photo: Private)
After Charles Kalman died, his widow tried moving the Bavarian authorities to allow the installation of a memorial plaque. Now, after her own death, her sons managed to continue the crusade successfully. The “Gedenktafel” will we unveiled on February 22 at 11 am in the presence of the family Jarczyk-Kalman family.
The plaque will read: “In diesem Haus wohnte der Komponist Charles Kalman, Sohn von Emmerich Kalman, von 1964 bis 2015. Er schrieb hier seine bedeutenden Werke!“ These works include orchestral pieces as well as operettas, musical comedies and songs, such as his Else Lasker-Schüler songs cycle.
For a biography of Charles Kalman and an overview of the oeuvre by Stefan Frey, click here.
Charles Kalman and his sister Elisabeth, as children in Vienna.
Richtig so! Wenn ich in München bin, komme ich gerne zur Enthüllung! Herzliche Grüße Rudi Otahal
So ein großer Komponist, endlich erkennt die Stadt was sie an ihm hatte! RIP
I was so touched to receive news if the Gedenktafel honoring my very dear friend and mentor. I shall try to be there!
If I may offer one correction to his catalogue if compositions: The premiere of “Der Blaue Engel” took place in Berlin in April of 1992, not 1993 as listed. I was pianist and an assistant conductor for the production. Charlie’s music was gorgeous, sensual and beguiling. Sadly, the production only ran until October 1992 (it closed in Hamburg). However, I have a recording of all the music. We should make it available!