Composer, Conductor, Cellist. He was the leading American operetta composer of his time. "Babes in Toyland" (1903), based on Mother Goose and fairy tale characters, featured the popular numbers "March of the Toys" and "Toyland." "Naughty Marietta" (1910), regarded as his masterpiece, had such hit songs as "Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life," "I'm Falling in Love with Someone," "Italian Street Song," and "'Neath the Southern Moon." His other operettas include "Mlle. Modiste" (1905), "The Red Mill" (1906), "Sweethearts" (1913), "The Princess Pat" (1915), and "Eileen" (1917). Herbert also produced two grand operas, "Natona" (1911) and "Madeleine" (1914), and a Cello Concerto (1894). He was the first American film composer, writing an original score for the silent "The Fall of a Nation" (1915). Many of his own works were later made into movies. Herbert was born in Dublin, Ireland. He studied the cello in Germany and performed in leading European orchestras. In 1886 he settled in New York City, where he played in the orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera. Herbert's first operetta, "Prince Ananias" (1894), was a flop, but his second, "The Wizard of the Nile" (1895), was a major success. He was conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra from 1898 to 1904, then devoted his time to composing. He died of a heart attack.
Composer, Conductor, Cellist. He was the leading American operetta composer of his time. "Babes in Toyland" (1903), based on Mother Goose and fairy tale characters, featured the popular numbers "March of the Toys" and "Toyland." "Naughty Marietta" (1910), regarded as his masterpiece, had such hit songs as "Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life," "I'm Falling in Love with Someone," "Italian Street Song," and "'Neath the Southern Moon." His other operettas include "Mlle. Modiste" (1905), "The Red Mill" (1906), "Sweethearts" (1913), "The Princess Pat" (1915), and "Eileen" (1917). Herbert also produced two grand operas, "Natona" (1911) and "Madeleine" (1914), and a Cello Concerto (1894). He was the first American film composer, writing an original score for the silent "The Fall of a Nation" (1915). Many of his own works were later made into movies. Herbert was born in Dublin, Ireland. He studied the cello in Germany and performed in leading European orchestras. In 1886 he settled in New York City, where he played in the orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera. Herbert's first operetta, "Prince Ananias" (1894), was a flop, but his second, "The Wizard of the Nile" (1895), was a major success. He was conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra from 1898 to 1904, then devoted his time to composing. He died of a heart attack.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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