#operettas

[dichterfuerstin]

Fucking finally!

Had a lovely evening at the theatre with @swanfloatieknight .

I can’t tell you how overwhelming it was to finally hear live music again.

[uwmarchives]

Explore Your Archive Week: Archives Voices

The Archives are full of voices, how can we pick just one? We took a slightly abstract approach to today’s #ExploreYourArchive prompt of #ArchivesVoices.

This collection documents the activities of Conrad Saskowski (1908 - 1984). Saskowski was born in Milwaukee the son of Polish immigrants who studied at Marquette University as well as Julliard. He worked as a history teacher and high school guidance counselor but was also a composer of  operettas, sacred works, and musicals. His operettas and musicals communicated Polish-American culture to Milwaukee and many were composed in both English and Polish.

Above, are the piano and vocals for an operetta largely composed in 1934 and titled  “Yours to Command” for which we have scores, musical cue sheets, scripts, and compositional drafts.

Conrad A.E. Saskowski Papers (Milwaukee Mss 214; PH Milwaukee Mss 214)

http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-mil00214

[baker-street-tenants]

How about a favourite operetta? Has anything at the Savoy particularly tickled your fancies?

Anonymous,

I deduce that you are the same individual that asked the question about mine and Watson’s musical preferences. Watson is asleep, 

and I am currently “burning the candle at both ends.” This case has proven to be quite invigorating, and I find it impossible to sleep when the answer is just on the horizon. If I were to open my traveling bag, I would find a simple 7% solution that may accelerate the unraveling of this peculiar case, yet I dread the look on friend Watson’s face, so have decided to pen this letter.

I am not partial to the “Savoy Operas,” yet Watson is quite taken with comedy. I have had to endure The Pirates of Penzance twice. No, I enjoy the robustness of true opera. Watson and I saw a brilliant Wagner at Covent Garden, although we were late. You would not be surprised as I have stated that I have a preference for German music. As I said to Watson once, it is introspective and I want to introspect. 

I think that is enough to satisfy you, yes? I must return my mind wholly to this case. I think we shall be done here soon.

Respectfully,

Sherlock Holmes

[hclib]

Small Fry Operetta, Richfield Elementary School

February 18, 1950: “Second grade pupils at Richfield central elementary school Friday presented an operetta for pupils in other grades and their parents. Kathleen Lineburg, 7, 7245 Blaisdell Avenue S., who plated the part of a rabbit, got help adjusting her whiskers from Michael Sheilds, 7, 7442 First Avenue S., the drummer boy in the production.” - Minneapolis Morning Tribune

Photo from the Minneapolis Newspaper Photographs Collection, available online in the Hennepin County Library Digital Collections.

[charleymckelvy]

FLASH FICTION

He was the Ruler of the Queen’s Navee.

THE ADMIRAL

Flash Fiction

by Charles McKelvy

The nursing home staff smiled every time Mr. Magee said he was an “admiral in the queen’s nay-vee.” They smiled to indulge the man in the memory unit.

What was the harm of letting the tottering nonagenarian think he was really an admiral in the Royal Navy when, in reality, he was a U.S. Army veteran of the Battle…

View On WordPress

[iowacitypast]

Outdoor scene from Madame Butterfly, The University of Iowa, 1950s

Creator: Kent, Frederick W.

Source: http://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ictcs/id/10911

[musicaltheatretrivia]

Operettas that are important to American Musical Theatre History: Die Fledermaus or ‘The Bat’

Part five: Rosalinda

Rosalinda opened October 28, 1942 at 44th St. It ran for 521 performances! The most the show had received in any disguise thus far! Pieces of the 1929 Berlin revival were recreated.

[musicaltheatretrivia]

Operettas that are important to American Musical Theatre History: Die Fledermaus or ‘The Bat’

Part four: Champagne, Sec

This decades attempt at Die Fledermaus was disguised as Champagne, Sec which opened at the Morosco Theatre on October 14, 1933. It played 113 performances!