For as long as there has been theatre–and there has always been theatre–music has often accompanied the performance in one form or another.
But the 1920s saw the emergence of a new kind of blending of theatre and music. Not the sugary frivolity of musical theatre nor the weighty drama of grand opera, but the musical: a play with popular songs, but one in which the music and the story are equal partners.
- Listen now:
Playlist:
Fanfare
Opening Theme
Overture di Ballo
Composed in 1870 by Sir Arthur Sullivan. Public domain.
Performed by the United States Marine Band. Public domain recording. Source.
Closing Theme
Except when otherwise indicated, the contents of this podcast are © and ℗ 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 by Mark Painter, all rights reserved. Some music and sound effects used by arrangement with Pond 5.