For those of you in the Ohio area, you have a real treat in the Ohio Light Opera. This group stages professional performances of many well-known and little-known composers of light opera music—commonly called operettas. Performances go from June through July and into early August. The group is based at the College of Wooster, which is within easy driving of Cleveland, Akron, or Columbus.
This year, like every year, has some real gems that will probably be the only time you will get to hear them. “Maytime” by Sigmund Romberg would certainly be at the top of my list. Or how about “A Soldier’s Promise” by Emmerich Kalman? It too would be a must-hear. And the “White Horse Inn” is sheer magical fun with incredible melodies. Besides these, there are works by Gilbert and Sullivan and Johann Strauss II, some of the more famous composers of operettas.
The Ohio Light Opera Orchestra will be playing a Fourth of July concert, which promises to be great fun.
For those of you who don’t live in the Ohio there is no cause to despair, for the Ohio Light Opera has a number of CDs available of past performances. There are several recordings of one of my favorite operetta composers: Victor Herbert, who was active in America in the early years of the 20th century. There is his fairly well-known “Naughty Marietta.” But the company also offers real rarities. Try “Eileen,” “Sweethearts,” or “The Red Mill.” These CDs are filled with gorgeous melodies, and some haven’t been heard in literally decades. In some cases these recordings are their CD premieres. There are also several CDs by Rand’s favorite, Emmerich Kalman: “The Bayadere,” “Autumn Maneuvers” and “Der Zigeunerprimas.” This is your opportunity to understand why she so enjoyed this master of the light forms. An added advantage is that many of these recordings are sung in English, so you don’t have to wrestle with a foreign language.
Oh, I’ll be the first one to say that many of these plots are outlandish, if not downright nonsensical. But that is the whole point: light-hearted fun, not meant to be taken too seriously, an evening’s entertainment. But I would argue that an evening’s entertainment is a major accomplishment.
If you like operettas, I would highly recommend that you take a look at the Ohio Light Opera’s website. It has a treasure trove of musical delights. If you don’t like opera, these just might change your mind.
“… I would argue that an evening’s entertainment is a major accomplishment.”
What a lovely expression! How true!
Just wanting to let you know that I’m GREATLY enjoying your notes!
Thanks a lot!
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