Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

May 12, 1861 in Liège, Belgium

Death

:

November 29, 1921 in New York City, NY

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Ivan Caryll was a prominent composer of operettas and musical comedies in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was born as Felix Tilkin in Liège, Belgium on May 12, 1861. His father was a musician and Felix showed an early interest in music. He began studying the violin at the age of six and later learned to play the piano and the organ. In 1879, Felix moved to Paris to study music at the Conservatoire de Paris. He changed his name to Ivan Caryll, which was a combination of the names of two of his favorite composers, Tchaikovsky and Verdi. After completing his studies, Caryll began working as a violinist in various orchestras in Paris. In 1882, Caryll moved to London and began working as a conductor and composer for the Gaiety Theatre. He quickly became known for his catchy melodies and witty lyrics. His first major success came in 1886 with the operetta "The Red Hussar." The show was a hit and ran for over 200 performances. Caryll continued to compose for the Gaiety Theatre and had several more successful shows, including "Little Jack Sheppard" (1885), "Dorothy" (1886), and "The Circus Girl" (1896). He also composed music for other London theaters, including the Savoy Theatre and the Daly's Theatre. In 1898, Caryll moved to New York City and began working on Broadway. His first show, "The Girl from Paris," was a hit and ran for over 200 performances. He went on to compose music for several more Broadway shows, including "The Earl and the Girl" (1905), "The Pink Lady" (1911), and "The Laughing Husband" (1913). Caryll's music was known for its catchy melodies and lively rhythms. He often incorporated popular dance styles of the time, such as the waltz and the tango, into his compositions. He also had a talent for writing humorous lyrics and his shows were often filled with witty dialogue and comedic situations. In addition to his work in the theater, Caryll also composed music for films. He wrote the score for the silent film "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" (1921), which was a huge success and helped to establish him as a leading film composer. Caryll continued to compose music throughout his life and remained active in the theater and film industries until his death in 1921. Some of his most famous compositions include "The Merry Widow Waltz," "The Pink Lady Waltz," and "The Laughing Husband Waltz." Today, Ivan Caryll is remembered as one of the most important composers of operettas and musical comedies of his time. His music continues to be performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world.

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