Rhapsody is an operetta in 2 Acts by Fritz Kreisler (music) and John La Touche (lyrics) with a book by Arnold Sundgaard and Leonard Louis Levinson that is based on an original story by A. N. Nagler.[1] The music from the operetta is taken mainly from Kreisler's 1932 Austrian-language operetta Sissy and from his large collection of works for violin and piano; with only a relatively small portion of new music by Kreisler being added to the operetta's score.[2] While La Touche was the primary lyricist, playwright Blevins Davis and American composer Robert Russell Bennett also contributed some lyrics.[3] Additionally, Davis was the operetta's producer (along with the New York socialite Lorraine Manville Dresselhuys), and Bennett was the orchestrater of Kreisler's music which was originally scored for piano.[4] The Austrian conductor Fritz Mahler served as the production's music director.[1]
Opening at the New Century Theatre on Broadway on November 22, 1944, Rhapsody is set within the court of Roman Emperor Francis I and Empress Maria Theresa. The operetta was directed and choreographed by Russian-American ballet dancer David Lichine; who had achieved fame as a leading artist with The Royal Ballet in London and as a choreographer in Hollywood films.[5] The production boasted highly expensive and elaborate sets designed by Tony Award winning designer Oliver Smith; with a production value of $300,000.00[6] Frank Bevan designed the production's costumes and Stanley McCandless served as lighting designer.[3] While critics praised the music and the singing of the show's leads, reviews of the operetta's written dialogue were universally bad; and the show was widely mocked in the press as a result.[6][3][4][1] The play closed on December 2, 1944, after just 14 performances which proceeded 8 additional performances given in previews; making it one of the most expensive flops on Broadway at the time that it closed.[6]
Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere cast, 22 November 1944[1] |
|---|---|---|
| Empress Maria Theresa | soprano | Annamary Dickey |
| Emperor Francis I | baritone | George Young |
| Madame Boticini | soprano | Rosemarie Brancato |
| Charles Eckert | tenor | John Hamill |
| Lotzi Hugenhaugen | comic tenor | John Cherry |
| Lili Hugenhaugen | soprano | Gloria Story |
| Frau Tina Hugenhaugen | contralto | Bertha Belmore |
| Captain of the Guard | bass-baritone | Randolph Symonette |
| Ilse Bonen | dance role | Patricia Bowman |
| Casanova | comic role | Eddie Mayehoff |
| Ivan | dance role | George Zoritch |
| Sonya | dance role | Alexandra Denisova |
| Demi-Tasse | Mister Johnson | |
| Maid | Mildred Jocelyn | |
| Rickshaw Man | Nicolas Berizoff | |
| The Dandy | Jerry Ross | |
| Jailer | Robert W. Kirkland | |
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Broadway Openings: Rhapsody". Billboard. December 9, 1944. p. 30.
- ↑ Sam Zolotow (November 22, 1944). "Rhapsody to Have Premiere Tonight". The New York Times. p. 26.
- 1 2 3 Bron (November 29, 1944). "Plays on Broadway: Rhapsody". Variety. Vol. 156, no. 12. p. 44.
- 1 2 Lewis Nichols (November 23, 1944). "The Play: Fritz Kreisler's Tunes Offer the Only Good Deeds to Pretty Dismal Playing of Rhapsody". The New York Times. p. 37.
- ↑ "David Lichine, Choreographer And Ballet Star, Is Dead at 62". The New York Times. July 21, 1972.
- 1 2 3 Sam Zolotow. "Kreisler Operetta Forced to Suspend: Rhapsody Performances Are Halted at Century Theatre – Production Cost of $300,000.00". The New York Times. p. 18.