Composer

:

Victor Herbert

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Operetta

First Performance

:

1905

Mademoiselle Modiste is an operetta composed by Victor Herbert with a libretto by Henry Blossom. The operetta premiered on December 25, 1905, at the Knickerbocker Theatre in New York City. The plot revolves around Fifi, a young milliner who dreams of becoming a famous fashion designer. She falls in love with Etienne, a wealthy American who is engaged to a snobbish socialite, Adele. Fifi's friend, the Marquis de St. Yves, helps her to win Etienne's heart by arranging a fashion show where Fifi's designs are showcased. In the end, Etienne realizes that he loves Fifi and they get married. The operetta is set in Paris in the early 1900s and features a score that blends operatic arias, waltzes, and popular songs of the time. The music is characterized by its catchy melodies, lush harmonies, and intricate orchestration. The most famous song from the operetta is "Kiss Me Again," a romantic duet sung by Fifi and Etienne. Mademoiselle Modiste was a huge success when it premiered and went on to become one of Herbert's most popular works. It was performed extensively in the United States and Europe and was adapted into a silent film in 1926. The operetta is also notable for its role in popularizing the fashion of the time, particularly the "Gibson Girl" look, which was popularized by the actress who played Fifi in the original production, Fay Templeton. Overall, Mademoiselle Modiste is a charming and romantic operetta that captures the spirit of Paris in the early 1900s. Its catchy tunes and memorable characters have made it a beloved classic of the musical theater repertoire.

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