The Unitel Operettas of the 1970s

[kurt_erichsen]

On a new year’s eve shortly after I got my first VCR - 1981-2 or so - I got as copy of Johann Strauss’ Fledermaus from the local PBS station. It was a production I fell in love with - directed by Otto Schenck, conducted by Carl Böhm, performed by the Wiener Staatsoper. Besides the music, the acting was very good, so it worked both as a farce and as

Comments

[jrittenhouse]

*whine* I still miss that PBS production of ORPHEUS. This sounds like quite a find!

Dear Departed Orphée

[kurt_erichsen]

For everybody else reading this -- Jim recalls seeing a wonderful production of Offenbach's _Orphée aux Enfers_ on PBS in his youth, and has wanted a copy ever since

Re: Dear Departed Orphée

[jrittenhouse]

Yeah, I strongly remember "...le cœur d'un roi de Béotie.." (as per this tune) and that it was done in period drag, but that's about it for details.

I very well may have seen one of the Unitel shows; hard to say, but it's very possible. I saw it in the middle to late 1970s, yes.

See also:

[jrittenhouse]

http://www.new-classics.co.uk/html/music_dvd_reviews.html

The Naughty Marietta listed here sounds pretty tasty. Love Alfred Drake..

http://www.boysoloist.com/films.asp?type=3

And yes, I just picked up a copy of Orphee - the Minkowski/Pelly one. So we'll see that...

Following your link

[kurt_erichsen]

Now THIS sounds interesting. I am familiar with Hoffnung, but I had no idea this existed

Re: Following your link

[jrittenhouse]

That's why I left those links - lots of interesting looking stuff in there.

You ever see the Harmonists movie?

Re: Following your link

[kurt_erichsen]

Haven't seen the Harmonists movie. Never heard of it! No idea what it is. Do tell.

Re: Following your link

[jrittenhouse]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comedian_Harmonists
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comedian_Harmonists_%28film%29
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0128133/

examples of their work:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRP1XAOM-nQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i229r_gD-Kg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSDQG9zzEDc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vynEQz__jp0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IF_9Ru4TN0g

Reply

Re: Following your link

[kurt_erichsen]

Interesting stuff, thanks for the links. They don't make popular songs like this anymore, do they?

My exposure to songs of the 30s is limited ... the "Silver Age" operetta composers show 20th century influence, but are still mostly 19th in form. On the American side, I have gotten an appreciation of Eddie Cantor, and to a lesser extent Al Jolson and others. I listen to original performances of what I grew up regarding as tired old songs, and I can understand why they became hits in the first place.

Re: Following your link

[jrittenhouse]

Thought this would be right up your alley!