Role

:

Composer Performer

Birth

:

February 11, 1879

Death

:

December 20, 1942

Genre

:

Opera

 

Jean Gilbert was a German composer of operettas and film scores. He was born on February 11, 1879, in Hamburg, Germany. Gilbert was the son of a Jewish merchant and grew up in a musical family. His father played the violin, and his mother was a singer. Gilbert began playing the piano at a young age and showed a talent for music. Gilbert studied music at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg and later at the Berlin University of the Arts. He began his career as a composer in 1902, writing songs and operettas. His first operetta, "Die Frau im Hermelin," premiered in 1907 and was a success. Gilbert went on to write several more operettas, including "Die keusche Susanne" (1910), "Die Tänzerin Fanny Elssler" (1912), and "Die Dollarprinzessin" (1907). In 1914, Gilbert was drafted into the German army and served in World War I. After the war, he continued to compose operettas and film scores. He wrote the music for several films, including "Die Drei von der Tankstelle" (1930) and "Ein Lied geht um die Welt" (1933). Gilbert's music was popular in Germany and Austria during the 1920s and 1930s. His operettas were known for their catchy melodies and humorous lyrics. He was also known for his film scores, which were often romantic and sentimental. In 1933, the Nazi party came to power in Germany, and Gilbert, who was Jewish, was forced to flee the country. He moved to Vienna, where he continued to compose music. However, his music was banned in Germany, and he was unable to return to his home country. During World War II, Gilbert lived in Switzerland and continued to compose music. He wrote the music for several Swiss films, including "Gilberte de Courgenay" (1941) and "Die letzte Chance" (1945). After the war, Gilbert returned to Germany and continued to compose music. He wrote the music for several more films, including "Die Sünderin" (1951) and "Ich denke oft an Piroschka" (1955). Gilbert died on March 20, 1942, in Hamburg, Germany. He was 63 years old. Despite his success as a composer, Gilbert's music fell out of favor after World War II. However, his operettas and film scores continue to be performed and recorded today.

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