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''The Firefly'' was the first operetta written by composer Rudolf Friml, with a libretto by Otto Harbach. The story concerns a young Italian girl, who is a street singer in New York. She disguises herself and serves as a cabin boy on a ship to Bermuda, where she falls in love. Complications arise, and eventually, she becomes a grand opera diva. After tryouts at the Empire Theatre in Syracuse, New York beginning in October 1912, the operetta premiered on Broadway on December 2, 1912 at the Lyric Theatre, transferring after Christmas to the Casino Theatre. It was warmly received and ran for an encouraging 120 performances. The piece became one of the more frequently revived Friml works but was not given a complete recording until 2006. A 1937 MGM film version used most of the songs but had a new plot set in Spain during the time of Napoleon. It starred Jeanette MacDonald and Allan Jones. ==Background and productions== One of the most popular theatrical forms in the early decades of the 20th century in America was the operetta, and its most famous composer was Irish-born Victor Herbert. It was announced in 1912 that Italian-born operetta diva Emma Trentini would be starring on Broadway in a new operetta by Herbert with lyricist Otto Harbach entitled ''The Firefly''. Shortly before the writing of the operetta, Trentini appeared in a special performance of Herbert's ''Naughty Marietta'' conducted by Herbert himself. When Trentini refused to sing "Italian Street Song" for the encore, an enraged Herbert stormed out of the orchestra pit refusing any further work with Trentini. Arthur Hammerstein, the operetta's sponsor, frantically began to search for another composer. Not finding anyone who could compose as well as Herbert, Hammerstein settled on the almost unknown Friml because of his classical training. After a month of work, Friml produced the score for what would be his first theatrical success.〔Bloom, Ken. (''Broadway: its history, people, and places: an encyclopedia'' ). (1991; Taylor & Francis, 2004), p. 174 ISBN 0-415-93704-3〕 ''The Firefly'' was followed by 32 more Friml operettas, but it remained one of his most popular.〔Cummings, Robert. ''The Firefly'', All Music Guide〕 After tryouts at the Empire Theatre in Syracuse, New York beginning on October 14, 1912, ''The Firefly'' opened at the Lyric Theatre on December 2, 1912 to a warm reception by both the audience and the critics. The production moved to the Casino Theatre on December 30, where it ran until March 15, 1913. All told the production ran for 120 performances. Directed by Frederick G. Latham and conducted by Gaetano Merola, the operetta starred Trentini as Nina, Craig Campbell as Jack Travers, Irene Cassini as Antonio Columbo, Vera De Rosa as Sybil Vandare, Sammy Lee (choreographer)|Sammy Lee as Pietro, Audrey Maple as Geraldine Vandare, Ruby Norton as Suzette, Katherine Stewart as Mrs. Oglesby Vandare, Melville Stewart as John Thurston, Henry Vogel as Herr Franz, and George Williams as Correlli.〔See IBDB listing and cover page of vocal score〕 The 1937 MGM film version of the show, starring Jeanette MacDonald, added the song "The Donkey Serenade".〔 After the film's release, this song has usually been added to revivals.〔 In 1943 at the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera, Francia White starred as Nina.〔(History of the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera ). broadwayla.org, accessed 11 July 2010〕 One of the more frequently revived Friml works, the first complete recording of the operetta was made by the Ohio Light Opera and released by Albany Records in 2006.〔(''The Firefly'' ). Albany Records, accessed 11 July 2010〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「The Firefly (operetta)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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