AMERICAN MUSICAL THEATRE {FRANZ ALLERS} (TV)
Summary
One in this educational public affairs series that traces the origins and development of the American musical theater and examines the careers and contributions of the creative artists who have made the musical a native American art form. In an informal workshop setting, New York City high school students meet the composers, lyricists, and performers who have shaped the American musical and question them about their work. In this program, which examines the career of conductor Franz Allers, the guest begins by telling host Earl Wrightson about the following topics: the beginning of Allers's musical career, when it was discovered that he had perfect pitch; his change in career from concert violinist to conductor; and his first big break at the Wagner festival in Bayreuth. After conducting the CBS Orchestra in Antonin Dvorak's "Slavonic Dance No. 8," Allers recounts his coming to the United States with the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo. He also recalls conducting the premiere of Agnes DeMille's dance "Rodeo" and being recruited by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe for their musical "Brigadoon." After discussing the differences between conducting for the musical theater, opera, and ballet, Allers leads the orchestra in a few musical numbers associated with his career. He is joined by Susan Johnson in "Almost Like Being in Love" from "Brigadoon," Ralph Curtis in "Young and Foolish" from "Plain and Fancy," and Wrightson in "They Call the Wind Maria" from "Paint Your Wagon." Next, Allers explains how he keeps the orchestra, the cast, and himself fresh while working on a long-running Broadway show. He ends the program by conducting a Latin-influenced piece by contemporary composer Morton Gould.
(This program contains minor technical problems. This represents the best copy of this program currently available to the Museum.)
Cataloging of this program was made possible by a grant from the GRAMMY Foundation.
Details
- NETWORK: WCBS-TV
- DATE: August 19, 1962 5:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:27:12
- COLOR/B&W: B&W
- CATALOG ID: T:57443
- GENRE: Music; Education/Information; Public affairs/Documentaries
- SUBJECT HEADING: Biography; Conductors (music); Music - Analysis, appreciation; Musical revues, comedies, etc. - Excerpts; Orchestral music
- SERIES RUN: WCBS (New York, NY) - TV series, 1959-1965
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Ned Cramer … Producer
- Ethel Burns … Associate Producer
- Merrill Brockway … Director
- Franz Allers … Conductor
- CBS Orchestra, The … Music Group
- Earl Wrightson … Host, Singer
- Franz Allers … Guest
- Ralph Curtis … Singer
- Susan Johnson … Singer
- Agnes DeMille
- Antonin Dvorak
- Morton Gould
- Alan Jay Lerner
- Frederick Loewe