Composer

:

Victor Herbert

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Operetta

Compose Date

:

1922

First Performance

:

1922

'Orange Blossoms' is an operetta composed by Victor Herbert, with a libretto by Fred De Gresac and Harry B. Smith. The operetta premiered on January 29, 1922, at the New Amsterdam Theatre in New York City. The plot revolves around the love story of a wealthy American man, Jack, and a Spanish dancer, Consuelo. The first act takes place in Seville, Spain, where Jack falls in love with Consuelo at first sight. However, Consuelo is already engaged to a wealthy Spanish nobleman, Don Pasquale. Jack tries to win Consuelo's heart by pretending to be a famous Spanish bullfighter, but his plan fails when Don Pasquale exposes him as an imposter. Consuelo is heartbroken and decides to marry Don Pasquale. The second act takes place in New York City, where Consuelo and Don Pasquale have moved after their marriage. Jack, who is also in New York, discovers that Consuelo is unhappy in her marriage and tries to win her back. He enlists the help of his friend, a famous opera singer, to serenade Consuelo and convince her to leave Don Pasquale. In the end, Consuelo realizes that she truly loves Jack and decides to leave her husband to be with him. 'Orange Blossoms' is known for its catchy tunes and lively dance numbers, which reflect the Spanish and American cultures portrayed in the operetta. The music is characterized by Herbert's signature use of orchestration and his incorporation of popular music styles of the time, such as jazz and ragtime. Overall, 'Orange Blossoms' is a charming and entertaining operetta that showcases Herbert's talent as a composer and his ability to create memorable melodies and engaging characters. Its premiere in 1922 was a success, and it remains a beloved work in the operetta repertoire.

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