The Enchantress: American Musical Theatre

Victor Herbert (1859-1924). At age 19 he had played as a cellist with every major orchestra in Germany. He was one of the greatest influences on American theater, bringing it from vaudeville to more operatic, story-based works. His first composition which showed he was a reputable composer was his Suite for Cello and Orchestra, Op.3. Herbert’s works were known for their mix of European Romanticism and American Tradition. He also worked as the composer of the first original background film score for The Fall of A Nation. Today he is know as one of the big names in American Musical Theater.

The Enchantress (1911) (lyrics written by Fred de Gresac and Harry B. Smith, music by Victor Herbert) follows the story of the prima donna Vivien Savary (originally …show more content…
The first act is also sometimes called “Tell Me On A Sunday” the second is simply “Dance.” The first act tells the story of an English girl who arrives in New York City and goes on an adventure of romance. She goes through many ups and downs with different men and finally she realizes that it is not the end of the world to be alone. The second act, “Dance” focuses on one of the men that she was with and tells his side of the story, exploring his past relationships and commitment issues. In the end, they join to become, “Song and Dance.”

Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924) was a French Romantic composer and one of the foremost of his generation. His most well known works include Requiem, nocturne for the piano and the songs “Aprés un rêve” and “Clair de lune.” Most of Fauré’s music is known for linking Romanticism and Modernism in the early 20th Century. Most of his life he made his living as an organist and teacher, not allowing for much composition. During summer holidays he would retreat to the countryside to compose. In his later years he was recognised as one of the leading French composers of his