About this Recording
8.225109 - HERBERT, V.: Columbus Suite / Irish Rhapsody

Born in Ireland, educated in Germany, and in later life an American citizen, Victor Herbert was a virtuoso cellist and an outstanding conductor. In Europe he had enjoyed success as a 'serious' composer, but sacrificed that part of his career when he became better known in the field of American operetta. He eventually wrote over 40 stage scores, of which Babes in Toyland and Naughty Marietta are the most popular. Yet he still wanted America to accept him as a writer of 'classical' music, and in 1911 completed an opera, Natoma, strongly influenced, according to the composer, by Wagner. It remained in the American repertoire for a number of years, and was considered among the major English language operas. Though many of his orchestral works came from his period in Europe, his American years produced the charming Irish Rhapsody of 1892, and the attractive Columbus Suite that was first performed in 1903.

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