Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

January 28, 1878

Death

:

September 30, 1940

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Walter Kollo was a German composer of operettas and popular songs. He was born on January 28, 1878, in Neidenburg, East Prussia (now Nidzica, Poland). His father, Georg Kollo, was a composer and conductor, and his mother, Marie Kollo, was a singer. Walter grew up in a musical family and showed an early talent for music. At the age of 16, Walter Kollo left home to study music in Berlin. He studied composition with Engelbert Humperdinck, the composer of the opera "Hansel and Gretel." Kollo also studied piano and singing. He began his career as a composer of popular songs, which were very popular in Germany at the time. In 1905, Kollo wrote his first operetta, "Die Juxheirat" (The Joke Marriage), which was a great success. He went on to write many more operettas, including "Wie einst im Mai" (As Once in May), "Die Dollarprinzessin" (The Dollar Princess), and "Marietta" (Marietta). Kollo's operettas were known for their catchy tunes and humorous plots. Kollo also wrote many popular songs, including "Das ist die Liebe der Matrosen" (That's the Love of Sailors), "In der Nacht ist der Mensch nicht gern alleine" (At Night, People Don't Like to Be Alone), and "Das gibt's nur einmal" (That Only Happens Once). These songs became hits and were sung by many famous singers of the time. Kollo's music was very popular in Germany during the early 20th century. His operettas were performed in theaters all over the country, and his songs were played on the radio and in cafes. Kollo was also a successful businessman and owned a music publishing company. In 1933, the Nazi party came to power in Germany, and Kollo's music was banned because he was Jewish. Kollo was forced to flee Germany and went into exile in Switzerland. He continued to write music while in exile, but his career never fully recovered. After World War II, Kollo returned to Germany and tried to revive his career. He wrote a few more operettas, but they were not as successful as his earlier works. Kollo died on September 30, 1940, in Berlin, Germany. Despite the difficulties he faced during his lifetime, Walter Kollo left a lasting legacy in the world of music. His catchy tunes and humorous plots continue to be enjoyed by audiences today. Kollo's music has been recorded by many famous singers, including Marlene Dietrich and Zarah Leander. His songs have also been featured in films and television shows. Some of Kollo's most famous works include "Die Juxheirat," which tells the story of a man who marries a woman as a joke, only to fall in love with her for real. "Wie einst im Mai" is a nostalgic operetta about a man who remembers his first love. "Die Dollarprinzessin" is a comedy about a wealthy American woman who comes to Europe to find a husband. Kollo's popular songs are also well-known. "Das ist die Liebe der Matrosen" is a cheerful song about the love of sailors. "In der Nacht ist der Mensch nicht gern alleine" is a romantic ballad about the loneliness of the night. "Das gibt's nur einmal" is a catchy tune about the uniqueness of love. In conclusion, Walter Kollo was a talented composer who left a lasting mark on the world of music. His catchy tunes and humorous plots continue to be enjoyed by audiences today. Despite the challenges he faced during his lifetime, Kollo's music remains a testament to his talent and creativity.

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