Quincy University - Gyrfalcon Yearbook (Quincy, IL)

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RUDOLF FRIML Rudolf Friml, among the foremost modern ro- mantic composers, and one of the most prolific crea- tors of music of his generation, entered the field of operetta through an unexpected circumstance that in 1911 swerved him from the career of a con- cert pianist and composer of music in the larger forms to the creation of many of the most success- ful musical plays of the American stage. Friml is a native of Bohemia, born in the historic city of Prague, December 7, 1879. His father v as an amateur devotee of music, master of the zithe: and accordian, and his mother a music lover al- though untrained in music. At ten, he composed a boat song commended by his musical elders. At an early age, he entered the Prague Conserva- tory for the development of his guite apparent mu- sical talent. Friml ' s serious early works included a Japan- ese ballet suite, O Mikita San and a Christmas carol, both of which were pe rformed in Dresden and London. He was progressing in America along the lines of concertizing and serious composition when occurred the incident that changed his en- tire musical life. In 1911, William Hammerstein, son of the grand opera impresario, Oscar Hammerstein, was prepar- ing a new operetta for his father ' s brilliant Italian Coloratura, the soubrette Emma Trentini. The di- minutive diva had scored a sensational success in 1910 in the operetta Naughty Marietta , Rida John- son Young ' s story of Southern colonial days set to Victor Herbert ' s music. For the new vehicle. Otto Harbach was preparing lyrics, and Hammerstein expected to obtain the music, as for the former production, from the melodius pen of Herbert. When it was suggested that Trentini go to Herbert, then conducting in Philadelphia, to dis- cuss the forthcoming operetta, she demurred, in- sisting that the composer should alter his plans to suit her convenience. An impasse developed. Rudolph Schirner, the publisher, was called into a conference. He suggested that Friml might solve the problem created by Herbert ' s absence. Friml accepted the commission to compose the music. The Firefly was a historic success. Such songs as Giannina Mia, the Italian street song Svmpathy, the lilting waltz composition When a Maid Comes Knocking at Your Heart , Tommy Atkins and the beautiful boat song In Sapphire Seas swept the country, and at once elevated the composer to the front rank of creators of popular song hits. Promptly Hammerstein and Schirner gave the brilliant newcomer contracts for more shows, more music, and Friml began a new and lasting phase of his musical career. Year after year Friml repeated the success of The Fireflv in other productions of the same medium. High Jinks , Katrinka , You ' re in Love , Sometime , Tumble Inn , The Little Whopper , The Blue Kitten , several of the Zieg- field vehicles, the Follies and the Revues. June Love , White Eaale , Peasant Girl , Rose Marie, Cinders , Dew Droo Inn , The Vaga- bond King , Wild Rose , No Foolin ' , Three Musketeers and others contributed to the pageant of musical comedy successes. ORCHESTRA Anne Krieder, Shirley Meyer, Benedict DiDia, Barbara Bennett, Frank Lohman, Richard Rees, Anne Wehrle, Raymond Brink, Rev. Jovian Lang, Rev. Cosmas Herndel, Rev. Owen Blum, Enid Ire- land, Richard Kuebrick, Bruce Leake, Cletus Web- ster. ' The STUDENT PRINCE 1950