Role

:

Composer Conductor

Country

:

Hungary

Birth

:

November 2, 1892 in Apatin

Death

:

May 9, 1960 in Hamburg, Germany

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Opera

 

Paul Abraham was a Hungarian composer and conductor who was born on November 2, 1892, in Apatin, Austria-Hungary (now Serbia). He was the son of a cantor and grew up in a musical family. Abraham began his musical education at a young age, studying piano and composition with various teachers. He later attended the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, where he studied composition with Hans Koessler. After completing his studies, Abraham began his career as a conductor and composer. He worked in various theaters in Hungary and Germany, including the Budapest Opera House and the Berlin State Opera. In 1925, he became the musical director of the Theater am Schiffbauerdamm in Berlin, where he composed some of his most famous works. Abraham was known for his operettas, which were popular in the 1920s and 1930s. His most famous work, "Viktoria und ihr Husar" (Victoria and Her Hussar), premiered in Berlin in 1930 and was a huge success. The operetta was later adapted into a film in 1931 and has been performed in various languages around the world. Another one of Abraham's popular operettas was "Die Blume von Hawaii" (The Flower of Hawaii), which premiered in Berlin in 1931. The operetta was set in Hawaii and featured music inspired by Hawaiian melodies. It was also adapted into a film in 1933. Abraham's other notable works include "Ball im Savoy" (Ball at the Savoy), which premiered in Berlin in 1932, and "Roxy und ihr Wunderteam" (Roxy and Her Wonder Team), which premiered in Berlin in 1937. Both operettas were successful and have been performed in various languages. In addition to his work as a composer, Abraham was also a conductor. He conducted various orchestras in Hungary and Germany, including the Berlin State Opera Orchestra. He was known for his interpretations of works by Johann Strauss II and Franz Lehár. Abraham's career was cut short by the rise of the Nazi party in Germany. As a Jew, he was forced to flee Germany in 1933 and eventually settled in Paris. He continued to compose and conduct in Paris, but his career never reached the same level of success as it had in Germany. During World War II, Abraham was arrested by the Nazis and sent to a concentration camp. He was eventually released and returned to Paris, where he continued to work as a composer and conductor. He died in Paris on May 6, 1960, at the age of 67. Today, Abraham is remembered as one of the most important composers of operettas in the early 20th century. His works continue to be performed around the world and are beloved by audiences for their catchy melodies and lighthearted themes.

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