Role

:

Composer Conductor

Country

:

Hungary

Birth

:

October 24, 1882 in Siófok, Hungary

Death

:

October 30, 1953 in Paris, France

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

Emmerich Kálmán was a Hungarian composer of operettas and musicals, born on October 24, 1882, in Siófok, Hungary. He was the son of a wealthy Jewish family, and his father was a successful businessman. Kálmán showed an early interest in music and began studying piano at a young age. He later studied composition with the renowned composer Hans Koessler at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest. Kálmán's first major success came in 1908 with the premiere of his operetta "Tatárjárás" (The Tatar Invasion). The work was an instant hit and established Kálmán as a leading composer of operettas. He went on to compose a series of successful works, including "Der Zigeunerprimas" (The Gypsy Violinist) in 1912 and "Die Csárdásfürstin" (The Gypsy Princess) in 1915. Kálmán's music was known for its catchy melodies, lush orchestration, and incorporation of Hungarian folk music. His works often featured romantic storylines and exotic settings, such as the Balkans or the Hungarian countryside. Kálmán's operettas were popular not only in Hungary but also throughout Europe and the United States. In 1928, Kálmán moved to Paris, where he continued to compose operettas and musicals. He had a successful collaboration with the librettist Alfred Grünwald, and together they created works such as "Das Veilchen vom Montmartre" (The Violet of Montmartre) in 1930 and "Die Herzogin von Chicago" (The Duchess of Chicago) in 1928. Kálmán's music was also featured in several films, including the 1934 Hollywood musical "The Merry Widow" starring Maurice Chevalier and Jeanette MacDonald. Kálmán's career was interrupted by the rise of Nazi Germany in the 1930s. As a Jew, he was forced to flee Europe and eventually settled in the United States. He continued to compose, but his works were not as successful as they had been in Europe. Kálmán died on October 30, 1953, in New York City. Despite the challenges he faced in his later years, Kálmán's music remains popular today. His operettas and musicals are still performed in theaters around the world, and his melodies are beloved by audiences and musicians alike. Some of his most famous works include "Die Csárdásfürstin," "Gräfin Mariza" (Countess Maritza), and "Das Veilchen vom Montmartre." Kálmán's legacy as a composer of operettas and musicals continues to inspire new generations of musicians and audiences.

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