Composer

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Rudolf Friml

"Rose-Marie" is a popular operetta composed by Rudolf Friml, with lyrics by Otto Harbach and Oscar Hammerstein II. The operetta premiered on September 2, 1924, at the Imperial Theatre in New York City. It was an instant success and ran for 557 performances, making it one of the longest-running musicals of the 1920s. The operetta is set in the Canadian Rockies and tells the story of Rose-Marie La Flemme, a French-Canadian girl who is in love with Jim Kenyon, a Mountie. However, Jim is accused of murder and must flee to the wilderness to clear his name. Rose-Marie follows him, and they are eventually reunited. The operetta is divided into three acts, with a total of 22 musical numbers. The first act introduces the main characters and sets up the conflict. The second act takes place in the wilderness, where Jim and Rose-Marie are hiding from the law. The third act resolves the conflict and ends with a happy reunion. The music of "Rose-Marie" is characterized by its catchy melodies and lush orchestration. Friml's use of leitmotifs, or recurring musical themes, helps to tie the operetta together thematically. The most famous song from the operetta is "Indian Love Call," which has been covered by numerous artists and is still a popular tune today. Overall, "Rose-Marie" is a classic example of the operetta genre, with its romantic storyline, memorable music, and colorful setting. Its success helped to establish Friml as one of the leading composers of his time, and it remains a beloved piece of musical theater history.

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