Albert SZIRMAI [aka SIRMAY]: b Budapest, 2 July 1880; d New York, 15 January 1967
Szirmai was a top-flight Hungarian composer whose career faded when he left home. He studied at the Budapest Zeneakadémia and
read moreSzirmai was a top-flight Hungarian composer whose career faded when he left home. He studied at the Budapest Zeneakadémia and
read moreSzibill, first produced at the Király Színház, Budapest, on 27 February 1914, was the peak achievement of the short career
read moreViktor Jakabfi is one of the group of successful Hungarian composers who dominated the European musical stage in the early
read moreOne does not need much prompting to travel to Cottbus: the small town south-east of Berlin has one of the
read moreIt’s a small book, but full of interesting content: Swing tanzen verboten. Unterhaltungsmusik nach 1933 zwischen Widerstand, Propaganda und Vertreibung.
read moreThe art of the suggestive song is not restricted to any particular historic era; it is, however, limited to a
read moreWhat the Opera House Zurich and the Komische Oper Berlin have in common are their architects: both were built by
read moreOff to new frontiers: that has always been a guiding principle for operetta. In this case, Hungarian operetta, or more
read moreWhy is the upcoming revival of Shuffle Along, or, The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That
read moreHeinrich Marschner’s 1828 “Gothic” opera Der Vampyr is set in England, the characters have names such as Lord Ruthven and
read moreAnyone seriously interested in Offenbach will also be interested in Meyerbeer, and the various other composers successful in the first
read moreMany great operetta things come from Hungary; and you might add, many great musical comedy things too. Emmerich Kalman wanted
read moreGerman tenor Philip Lüsebrink studied at Hamburg’s Johannes Brahms Conservatory; and built quite a career for himself singing and directing
read moreDie Handlung des Obersteiger ist gespickt mit zahlreichen Details, die sich in der Annaberger Produktion – nicht ganz verständlich –
read moreNow it’s official: the Komische Oper Berlin has announced that next season the world will have a close encounter of
read moreWho were the truly instrumental people who caused America to develop the largest and most influential entertainment industry in the
read moreLeon Jessel’s 1917 operetta Das Schwarzwaldmädel was one of the great WW1 hits coming from Berlin, because it transported war-weary
read moreYes, some music was missing, but what remained of Victor Herbert’s classic score in VHRP Live’s semi-staged concert reading was
read moreEmmerich Kalman started his career as a serious“ composer of grand tone poems in the Richard Strauss, or more likely
read moreIt seems almost only yesterday that Charles Kalman died, and had his memorable musical funeral in Munich. Now, his wife
read moreThe Oper Leipzig annouced its new season this week, including the program for the associated Musikalische Komödie. There is a
read moreFor many people in the classical music world, the name of Nikolaus Harnoncourt is almost sacred. The conductor who died
read moreThe musical comedies of Mischa Spoliansky have been experiencing quite a revival in recent years – probably because the biting
read moreWhen the ambitious young soprano of the famed Bostonians company, Alice Nielsen, decided to break away from the group and
read moreThis season, the Victor Herbert Renaissance Project Live! is focusing on “humor” and celebrating that aspect in the works on
read moreThere are news, and there are NEWS. This certainly qualifies for the latter category, in capital letters: Berlin’s private theater
read moreYes, you are right: there are not that many operettas set in South America. Okay, there is Moïse Simons‘ stunning
read moreIt is not often that I write about recordings. Since my massive listening-writing effort of The Musical Theatre on Record,
read moreFrench composer Hervé (1825-1892) has been so overshadowed by his competitor, friend and contemporary Jacques Offenbach that hardly anyone remembers
read moreAstrologically speaking, we’re still living under an Aquarian moon. And this week, we are celebrating the birthdays of two of
read moreProfessor Magdolna Jákfalvi is specialized in the theater history of Hungary under socialism. She organized the first scientific operetta conference
read moreYes, it’s always a treat to hear Offenbach live, especially those works that are not part of the over-familiar group
read moreVienna, 17 March 1883. At the legendary Theater an der Wien, Franz von Suppé’s latest show Die Afrikareise is given
read moreIf poster images – or mood photos attached to an official press release – are any indication of what’s to
read morePalazzetto Bru Zane has devoted its energy to the rediscovery of forgotten (French) operas, so far. But now, an opéra
read moreWhat a way to start the Offenbach festivities: the Berlin Operetta Festival at the Komische Oper started with a late-night
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