List of operettas by John Philip Sousa: Difference between revisions

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John Philip Sousa was an American composer and conductor of the late Romantic era.^[1] Primarily known for American military marches, his operettas are relatively lesser-known and less performed.^[2] Most of Sousa's operettas showed the influence of Gilbert and Sullivan. Sousa used few characteristics of their style like short recitatives and chorus finales. Most of the songs in the operettas were Sousa's own composition. According to author Paul E. Bierley, Sousa's operettas displayed a "high standard of morality".^[3] Several prominent stage personalities, including DeWolf Hopper, starred in Sousa's operettas.^[4]

Sousa composed Katherine, his first operetta, in 1879. Although it was never published, Sousa copyrighted it.^[5] In 1880, after becoming the leader of the United States Marine Band, he continued to work on operettas. His first operetta to be produced was The Smugglers, which premiered in 1882.^[6] After some financial setbacks, in the mid-1890s, Sousa reached the epitome of his career.^[7] His operetta, El Capitan, was later described by author Gerald Bordman as "boding well to be the most enduring American comic opera of the nineteenth century".^[7] El Capitan portrayed the Spanish administration in Peru and became hugely popular during the Spanish–American War.^[8] His other major operettas included The Charlatan, Chris and the Wonderful Lamp, The Free Lance, and The American Maid.^[6] Bierley later wrote that had Sousa not been the leader of the United States Marine Band, he would have likely chosen a career in theater music.^[3]

List of operettas

List of marches
Title	Year	Acts	Librettist	Notes	Premiere	Ref.
Katherine	1879	Three acts	Wilson Vance	Although Sousa never published or completed this operetta, he copyrighted it. The only known performance of this operetta is from a late 1920s Sousa Band concert.	—	^[5]
Florine	1881	Unfinished	Mary Andrews Denison	Mary Andrews Denison agreed to be the librettist for this operetta and composed several songs. However, as Denison's husband died while the operetta was in the first act, Florine was never completed.	—	^[9]
The Smugglers	1882	Two acts	Wilson Vance	The Smugglers was Sousa's first operetta to be produced. The libretto is based on Arthur Sullivan and F. C. Burnand's The Contrabandista. Though it received an overall positive review, it was a financial failure.	Lincoln Hall, Washington D.C.	^[10]
Désirée	1883	Two acts	Edward M. Taber	Sousa composed this operetta in 1882 and 1883. He based it on an English comedy, Our Wife, by John Maddison Morton.	National Theatre, Washington, D.C.	^[11]
The Queen of Hearts	1885	One act, three scenes	Edward M. Taber	The Queen of Hearts had the shortest run of all Sousa operettas, with only three performances in Washington, D.C. The operetta was compared with Gilbert and Sullivan's Trial by Jury. Several of Sousa's later compositions derived their score from the songs of this operetta.	Lafayette Square Opera House, Washington D.C.	^[12]
The Wolf	1888	Three acts	John Philip Sousa	Sousa derived the operetta from his 1882 operetta The Smugglers. Author Paul E. Bierley calls it a "transitional" operetta.	—	^[13]
The Devil's Deputy	1893	Three acts	J. Cheever Goodwin	Comedian Francis Wilson requested Sousa to compose this operetta. However, after completion of two acts, they both were not able to negotiate terms. Sousa demanded $1,500 (equivalent to $50,900 in 2023), but was offered $1,000 (equivalent to $33,900 in 2023). The Devil's Deputy was never completed.	—	^[14]
El Capitan	1895	Three acts	Charles Klein	El Capitan was Sousa's most successful operetta. It was a portrayal of the Spanish administration in Peru. After its premiere, it was performed over various times over the course of four years in the United States and Canada. Few of his earlier compositions like "The Legend of the Frogs" and "The Fable of the Frogs" were added in the operetta.	Tremont Theatre, Boston	^[8]^[15]^[16]
The Bride Elect	1897	Three acts	John Philip Sousa	The operetta is mostly derived from Sousa's previous operettas like The Smugglers and The Wolf. Author Paul E. Bierley calls The Bride Elect a "misfortune of falling in the wake of the highly successful El Capitan". Sousa's later march of the same title was more successful than the operetta.	Hyperion Theater, New Haven	^[17]
The Charlatan	1898	Three acts	Charles Klein	Sousa composed this operetta for DeWolf Hopper and his opera company. In London, The Charlatan was known as The Mystical Miss. It is one of Sousa's most famous operettas.	Academy of Music, Montreal	^[18]
Chris and the Wonderful Lamp	1899	Three acts	Glen MacDonough	Although Sousa considered this operetta one of his best works, it was not a commercial success. Sousa converted the Aladdin legend into this operetta. Sousa later extracted marches like "The Man Behind the Gun" and "Jack Tar" from it.	Hyperion Theater, New Haven	^[19]^[20]
The Free Lance	1905	Two acts	Harry B. Smith	Sousa composed this operetta in collaboration with Harry B. Smith. Although it was overall received positively, it lasted only for seven months. In late 1939, "The Goose Girl's Song", a song from this operetta, was rearranged and published as "Petit Minuet".	Court Square Theater, Springfield	^[21]
The American Maid	1909	Three acts	Leonard Liebling	Initially composed as The Glass Bowers, it was later re-named The American Maid in 1913. Various critics commented on the length of the production. It was premiered in New York City during the Sousa Band's world tour.	Shubert Theatre, New York City	^[22]
The Irish Dragoon	1915	Three acts	Joseph W. Herbert	The manuscript of this operetta was discovered in 1965 in the basement of Sousa's estate. The libretto was based on Charles Lever's book Charles O'Malley.	—	^[5]
The Victory	1915	Two acts	Ella Wheeler Wilcox	The Victory was initially a play by Elle Wheeler Wilcox and Ruth Allen Davis. It was scheduled to be produced in August 1915, but was never premiered.	—	^[23]

References

^ Allsen 2000.
^ Keeney 2013, p. 1.
^ ^a ^b Bierley 1984, p. 13.
^ Bierley 1984, p. 14.
^ ^a ^b ^c Bierley 1984, p. 29.
^ ^a ^b Warfield 2011, p. 297.
^ ^a ^b Jorgensen 1994, p. 1.
^ ^a ^b Hess 1998, p. 1.
^ Bierley 1984, p. 27.
^ Bierley 1984, pp. 31–33.
^ Bierley 1984, pp. 25–26.
^ Bierley 1984, pp. 29–31.
^ Bierley 1984, pp. 33–35.
^ Bierley 1984, pp. 26–27.
^ Bierley 1984, pp. 19–21.
^ Jorgensen 1994, pp. 10–16.
^ Bierley 1984, pp. 17–19.
^ Bierley 1984, pp. 21–23.
^ Bierley 1984, pp. 23–25.
^ Kilpatrick 2021, p. 87.
^ Bierley 1984, pp. 27–29.
^ Bierley 1984, pp. 14–16.
^ Bierley 1984, p. 33.

Works cited

Allsen, J. Michael (2000) [1999]. "Sousa, John Philip". American National Biography. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.1801080. Archived from the original on 6 November 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
Bierley, Paul E (1984). The Works of John Philip Sousa. Integrity Press. ISBN 978-0-918048-04-2. LCCN 84080665. OL 2876313M. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
Hess, Carol A. (1998). "John Philip Sousa's El Capitan: Political Appropriation and the Spanish-American War". Journal of the Society for American Music. 16 (1). University of Illinois Press. doi:10.2307/3052673. Retrieved 31 January 2021 – via JSTOR.
Jorgensen, Michael R. (1994). John Philip Sousa's Operetta El Capitan: A Historical, Analytical and Performance Guide (PhD thesis). Ball State University. Retrieved 31 January 2022 – via ProQuest.
Keeney, Lisa (2013). "Creating a Modern Performance Edition of Sousa Operetta". Grand Valley State University. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
Kilpatrick, Barry (2021). "Chris & the Wonderful Lamp selections". American Record Guide. Vol. 84, no. 6. ISSN 0003-0716.
Warfield, Patrick (2011). "The March as Musical Drama and the Spectacle of John Philip Sousa" (PDF). Journal of the American Musicological Society. 64 (2). Retrieved 31 January 2022 – via University of Maryland.

[FOOTNOTEAllsen2000-1] Allsen 2000.

[FOOTNOTEKeeney20131-2] Keeney 2013, p. 1.

[FOOTNOTEBierley198413-3] Bierley 1984, p. 13.

[FOOTNOTEBierley198414-4] Bierley 1984, p. 14.

[FOOTNOTEBierley198429-5] Bierley 1984, p. 29.

[FOOTNOTEWarfield2011297-6] Warfield 2011, p. 297.

[FOOTNOTEJorgensen19941-7] Jorgensen 1994, p. 1.

[FOOTNOTEHess19981-8] Hess 1998, p. 1.

[FOOTNOTEBierley198427-9] Bierley 1984, p. 27.

[FOOTNOTEBierley198431–33-10] Bierley 1984, pp. 31–33.

[FOOTNOTEBierley198425–26-11] Bierley 1984, pp. 25–26.

[FOOTNOTEBierley198429–31-12] Bierley 1984, pp. 29–31.

[FOOTNOTEBierley198433–35-13] Bierley 1984, pp. 33–35.

[FOOTNOTEBierley198426–27-14] Bierley 1984, pp. 26–27.

[FOOTNOTEBierley198419–21-15] Bierley 1984, pp. 19–21.

[FOOTNOTEJorgensen199410–16-16] Jorgensen 1994, pp. 10–16.

[FOOTNOTEBierley198417–19-17] Bierley 1984, pp. 17–19.

[FOOTNOTEBierley198421–23-18] Bierley 1984, pp. 21–23.

[FOOTNOTEBierley198423–25-19] Bierley 1984, pp. 23–25.

[FOOTNOTEKilpatrick202187-20] Kilpatrick 2021, p. 87.

[FOOTNOTEBierley198427–29-21] Bierley 1984, pp. 27–29.

[FOOTNOTEBierley198414–16-22] Bierley 1984, pp. 14–16.

[FOOTNOTEBierley198433-23] Bierley 1984, p. 33.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{short description|Operettas by composer John Philip Sousa}}
 {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
 {{Use American English|date=January 2022}}
 {{For|a complete list of compositions|List of compositions by John Philip Sousa}}
-[[File:John_Philip_Sousa_conducting.tif|alt=Black and white photograph of John Philip Sousa holding baton in a hand.|thumb|[[John Philip Sousa]]]]
+[[File:John_Philip_Sousa_conducting.tif|alt=Black and white photograph of John Philip Sousa holding baton in a hand.|thumb|[[John Philip Sousa]]|upright=1.2]]
-[[John Philip Sousa]] was an American composer and conductor of the late [[Romantic music|Romantic era]].{{Sfn|Allsen|2000}} Primarily known for American military [[March (music)|marches]], his [[operetta]]s are relatively lesser-known and less performed.{{Sfn|Keeney|2013|p=1}} Most of Sousa's operettas showed the influence of [[Gilbert and Sullivan]]. Sousa used few characteristics of their style like short recitatives and chorus finales. Most of the songs in the operettas were Sousa's own composition. According to author [[Paul E. Bierley]], Sousa's operettas displayed a "high standard of morality".{{Sfn|Bierley|1984|p=13}} Several prominent stage personalities, including [[DeWolf Hopper]], were starred in Sousa's operettas.{{Sfn|Bierley|1984|p=14}}
+[[John Philip Sousa]] was an American composer and conductor of the late [[Romantic music|Romantic era]].{{Sfn|Allsen|2000}} Primarily known for American military [[March (music)|marches]], his [[operetta]]s are relatively lesser-known and less performed.{{Sfn|Keeney|2013|p=1}} Most of Sousa's operettas showed the influence of [[Gilbert and Sullivan]]. Sousa used few characteristics of their style like short recitatives and chorus finales. Most of the songs in the operettas were Sousa's own composition. According to author [[Paul E. Bierley]], Sousa's operettas displayed a "high standard of morality".{{Sfn|Bierley|1984|p=13}} Several prominent stage personalities, including [[DeWolf Hopper]], starred in Sousa's operettas.{{Sfn|Bierley|1984|p=14}}
-Sousa composed ''Katherine'', his first opera, in 1879. Although it was never published, Sousa copyrighted it.{{Sfn|Bierley|1984|p=29}} In 1880, after becoming the leader of the [[United States Marine Band]], he continued to work on operettas. His first operetta to be produced was ''The Smugglers'', which premiered in 1882.{{Sfn|Warfield|2011|p=297}} After some financial setbacks, in the mid-1890s, Sousa reached the epitome of his career.{{Sfn|Jorgensen|1994|p=1}} His operetta, ''El Capitan'', was later described by author [[Gerald Bordman]] as "boding well to be the most enduring American comic opera of the nineteenth century".{{Sfn|Jorgensen|1994|p=1}} ''El Capitan'' portrayed the Spanish administration in Peru which became hugely popular during the [[Spanish–American War]].{{Sfn|Hess|1998|p=1}} His other major operettas included [[The Charlatan (operetta)|''The Charlatan'']], ''[[Chris and the Wonderful Lamp]]'', ''The Free Lance,'' and ''The American Maid''.{{Sfn|Warfield|2011|p=297}} Bierley later wrote that had Sousa not been the leader of the United States Marine Band, he would have likely chosen a career in theater music.{{Sfn|Bierley|1984|p=13}}
+Sousa composed ''Katherine'', his first operetta, in 1879. Although it was never published, Sousa copyrighted it.{{Sfn|Bierley|1984|p=29}} In 1880, after becoming the leader of the [[United States Marine Band]], he continued to work on operettas. His first operetta to be produced was ''The Smugglers'', which premiered in 1882.{{Sfn|Warfield|2011|p=297}} After some financial setbacks, in the mid-1890s, Sousa reached the epitome of his career.{{Sfn|Jorgensen|1994|p=1}} His operetta, ''El Capitan'', was later described by author [[Gerald Bordman]] as "boding well to be the most enduring American comic opera of the nineteenth century".{{Sfn|Jorgensen|1994|p=1}} ''El Capitan'' portrayed the Spanish administration in Peru and became hugely popular during the [[Spanish–American War]].{{Sfn|Hess|1998|p=1}} His other major operettas included [[The Charlatan (operetta)|''The Charlatan'']], ''[[Chris and the Wonderful Lamp]]'', ''The Free Lance,'' and ''The American Maid''.{{Sfn|Warfield|2011|p=297}} Bierley later wrote that had Sousa not been the leader of the United States Marine Band, he would have likely chosen a career in theater music.{{Sfn|Bierley|1984|p=13}}
 == List of operettas ==
@@ Line 33: / Line 31: @@
 |{{sort|0|Unfinished}}
 |{{sortname|Mary Andrews|Denison}}
-|Mary Andrews Denison agreed to be the librettist for this operetta and composed few songs. However, as Denison's husband died while the operetta was in the first act, ''Florine'' was never completed.
+|Mary Andrews Denison agreed to be the librettist for this operetta and composed several songs. However, as Denison's husband died while the operetta was in the first act, ''Florine'' was never completed.
 |{{Center|—}}
 |{{Center|{{Sfn|Bierley|1984|p=27}}}}
@@ Line 50: / Line 48: @@
 |{{Sortname|Edward M.|Taber}}
 |Sousa composed this operetta in 1882 and 1883. He based it on an English comedy, ''Our Wife'', by [[John Maddison Morton]].
-|[[National Theatre (Washington, D.C.)|National Theatre, Washington, D.C.]]
+|[[National Theatre (Washington, D.C.)|National Theatre]], Washington, D.C.
 |{{Center|{{Sfn|Bierley|1984|pp=25–26}}}}
 |-
@@ Line 57: / Line 55: @@
 |{{sort|1|One act, three scenes}}
 |{{Sortname|Edward M.|Taber}}
-|''The Queen of Hearts'' had the shortest run of all Sousa operettas, with only three performances in Washington, D.C. The operetta was compared with [[Gilbert and Sullivan]]'s ''[[Trial by Jury]]''. Few of Sousa's later compositions derived their score from the songs of this operetta.
+|''The Queen of Hearts'' had the shortest run of all Sousa operettas, with only three performances in Washington, D.C. The operetta was compared with [[Gilbert and Sullivan]]'s ''[[Trial by Jury]]''. Several of Sousa's later compositions derived their score from the songs of this operetta.
 |[[Lafayette Square Opera House]], Washington D.C.
 |{{Center|{{Sfn|Bierley|1984|pp=29–31}}}}
@@ Line 81: / Line 79: @@
 |{{sort|3|Three acts}}
 |{{Sortname|Charles|Klein}}
-|''El Capitan'' was Sousa's most successful operetta. It was a portrayal of the Spanish administration in Peru. After its premier, it was performed over various times over the course of four years in the United States and Canada. Few of his earlier compositions like "The Legend of the Frogs" and "The Fable of the Frogs" were added in the operetta.
+|''El Capitan'' was Sousa's most successful operetta. It was a portrayal of the Spanish administration in Peru. After its premiere, it was performed over various times over the course of four years in the United States and Canada. Few of his earlier compositions like "The Legend of the Frogs" and "The Fable of the Frogs" were added in the operetta.
 |[[Tremont Theatre, Boston (1889)|Tremont Theatre]], Boston
 |{{Center|{{Sfn|Hess|1998|p=1}}{{Sfn|Bierley|1984|pp=19–21}}{{Sfn|Jorgensen|1994|pp=10–16}}}}
@@ Line 97: / Line 95: @@
 |{{sort|3|Three acts}}
 |{{Sortname|Charles|Klein}}
-|Sousa composed this operetta for [[DeWolf Hopper]] and his opera company. In London, ''The Charlatan'' was known as ''The Mystical Miss''. It is one of Sousa's most famous operetta.
+|Sousa composed this operetta for [[DeWolf Hopper]] and his opera company. In London, ''The Charlatan'' was known as ''The Mystical Miss''. It is one of Sousa's most famous operettas.
 |[[Montreal Academy of Music|Academy of Music]], Montreal
 |{{Center|{{Sfn|Bierley|1984|pp=21–23}}}}
@@ Line 105: / Line 103: @@
 |{{sort|3|Three acts}}
 |{{Sortname|Glen|MacDonough}}
-|Although Sousa considered this operetta one of his best work, it was not a commercial success. Sousa converted the [[Aladdin]] legend into this operetta. Sousa later extracted marches like "The Man Behind the Gun" and "Jack Tar" from it.
+|Although Sousa considered this operetta one of his best works, it was not a commercial success. Sousa converted the [[Aladdin]] legend into this operetta. Sousa later extracted marches like "The Man Behind the Gun" and "Jack Tar" from it.
 |Hyperion Theater, New Haven
 |{{Center|{{Sfn|Bierley|1984|pp=23–25}}{{Sfn|Kilpatrick|2021|p=87}}}}
@@ Line 113: / Line 111: @@
 |{{sort|2|Two acts}}
 |{{Sortname|Harry B.|Smith}}
-|Sousa composed this operetta in collaboration with Harry B. Smith. Although it was overall received positively, it lasted only for seven months. In late 1939, "The Goose Girl's Song", a song from this operetta was rearranges and published as "Petit Minuet".
+|Sousa composed this operetta in collaboration with Harry B. Smith. Although it was overall received positively, it lasted only for seven months. In late 1939, "The Goose Girl's Song", a song from this operetta, was rearranged and published as "Petit Minuet".
 |Court Square Theater, Springfield
 |{{Center|{{Sfn|Bierley|1984|pp=27–29}}}}
@@ Line 121: / Line 119: @@
 |{{sort|3|Three acts}}
 |{{Sortname|Leonard|Liebling}}
-|Initially composed as ''The Glass Bowers'', it was later re-named ''The American Maid'' in 1913. Various critics commented on length of the production. It was premiered in New York City during the Sousa Band's world tour.
+|Initially composed as ''The Glass Bowers'', it was later re-named ''The American Maid'' in 1913. Various critics commented on the length of the production. It was premiered in New York City during the Sousa Band's world tour.
 |[[Shubert Theatre (Broadway)|Shubert Theatre]], New York City
 |{{Center|{{Sfn|Bierley|1984|pp=14–16}}}}
@@ Line 143: / Line 141: @@
 == See also ==
 * [[List of marches by John Philip Sousa]]

v t e John Philip Sousa
List of compositions List of marches List of operettas
Marches	"Anchor and Star" "The Black Horse Troop" "Boy Scouts of America" "Columbia's Pride" "The Dauntless Battalion" "The Fairest of the Fair" "The Gallant Seventh" "The Gladiator March" "Hands Across the Sea" "The High School Cadets" "Imperial Edward" "The Invincible Eagle" "Kansas Wildcats" "King Cotton" "The Liberty Bell" "Manhattan Beach" "The Minnesota March" "Nobles of the Mystic Shrine" "The Royal Welch Fusiliers" "Semper Fidelis" "The Stars and Stripes Forever" "The Thunderer" "Transit of Venus March" "U.S. Field Artillery March" "The Washington Post"
Operettas	Chris and the Wonderful Lamp Désirée El Capitan The Charlatan
Adaptations	"The Army Goes Rolling Along" Stars and Stripes Stars and Stripes Forever
Other	John Philip Sousa House John Philip Sousa Baton
Honoraria	Armed Forces March Competition John Philip Sousa Bridge John Philip Sousa Foundation John Philip Sousa Junior High School (Bronx) John Philip Sousa Junior High School
Category