Previous posts for April 30th may be found here: Franz Lehár (2019), Sheldon Harnick (2020), Robert Shaw; Alfred Gaul (2021), and Merrill Osmond (2022)
Franz Lehár (30 Apr 1870 -24 Oct 1948) was one of the greatest of operetta composers. In the United States, he is largely known only for The Merry Widow and a handful of favorite arias from other operettas. In the German-speaking countries he is still actively staged.
Knowing When the Time is Ripe
"Often sung by sopranos in the twilight of their careers..." -- Sydney Morning Herald, as qtd, at intermusica.com
If her mother tells her “Kiddo,
You should sing the Merry Widow,”
She should stand her ground and say
“I’ll save it for another day.
Certain roles when casts are set
Should not be played by a soubrette.
It’s not a role to take when you
Can still assume the ingénue.
But it’s a role that can be sung
When singers are no longer young,
And when I’ve reached a certain age
I’d love to play her on the stage.
And it will be the wistful highlight
Of my grand artistic twilight.”
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