10/27/07.  The Viennese Operetta

Film Clip: The Great Waltz (Opening Night of Die Fledermaus)

Overview of Musical Forms:

•      Waltz:

•      Operetta: 

•      Opera:

•      Lied: (pl. Lieder)

 Lecture: The Golden Age of the Viennese Operetta    

Evolution of the Operetta:

•      Predecessors:

Golden Age of Viennese Operetta (1855-1900):

•      Representatives:  Franz von Suppé (1819–1895): Die schöne Galathee(1865), Fatinitza (1876), & Boccaccio (1789); Johann Strauss, Jr. (1825–1899):  Die Fledermaus (1874) & Zigeunerbaron (1885) & many others; Karl Millöcker (1842–1899):  Der Bettelstudent (1882).

•      characteristics:

Film Clip:  Die Fledermaus (2nd Act Finale)

In-Class Writing Assignment:  How familiar are you with popular musical theater/films?  Did you ever go to see a staged musical, operetta, or opera?  Do you react differently to musicals on stage and on film?  If you have never been exposed to any form of staged musical, why not? 

Lecture: The Silver Age of the Viennese Operetta, Broadway, & Hollywood

Silver Age: (1905–1930s)

•      Representatives:  Franz Lehár (1870–1947):  The Merry Widow (1905), and many others; Emmerich Kálmán (1882–1953): Princess Czardas (1915) &Countess Mariza (1924); Oscar Straus & Leo Fall (Hollywood films)

•      Characteristics: 

Film Clip:  Merry Widow (Love Duet) [4 min]

Broadway & Hollywood:

Voice Distribution in Operetta: