Composer

:

John Philip Sousa

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Operetta

Compose Date

:

1899

'Chris and the Wonderful Lamp' is an opera composed by John Philip Sousa, the famous American composer and conductor. The opera was composed in 1899 and premiered on December 29, 1900, at the Knickerbocker Theatre in New York City. The libretto was written by Glen MacDonough, a well-known American playwright and lyricist. The plot of the opera revolves around a young man named Chris who discovers a magical lamp that grants him three wishes. Chris is a poor but ambitious young man who dreams of becoming wealthy and successful. He rubs the lamp and is granted his first wish, which is to become rich. He soon becomes a successful businessman and is able to buy everything he ever wanted. However, Chris soon realizes that money cannot buy happiness and decides to use his second wish to find true love. He falls in love with a beautiful woman named Zorah, but their happiness is short-lived when an evil sorcerer named Mustapha kidnaps Zorah and takes her to his palace. Chris uses his final wish to rescue Zorah and defeat Mustapha, and they live happily ever after. The opera is divided into three movements, each corresponding to one of Chris's wishes. The first movement is lively and upbeat, reflecting Chris's newfound wealth and success. The second movement is more romantic and sentimental, reflecting Chris's search for true love. The third movement is dramatic and intense, reflecting the final battle between Chris and Mustapha. One of the characteristics of 'Chris and the Wonderful Lamp' is its use of traditional operatic elements such as arias, duets, and choruses. However, Sousa also incorporates elements of American musical theater, such as catchy tunes and lively dance numbers. The opera also features a large orchestra, including brass and percussion instruments, which is typical of Sousa's compositions. Overall, 'Chris and the Wonderful Lamp' is a charming and entertaining opera that showcases Sousa's versatility as a composer. Its catchy tunes and lively dance numbers make it a popular choice for community theater productions and school performances.

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