Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart / The Boy Friend

On this day in classical music: Mozart’s opera “The Magic Flute” received its premiere in Vienna in 1791. The composer conducted the premiere which occurred just two months before his death. One of Mozart’s finest operas, “The Magic Flute” deals with lovers whose quest for each other is not without its trials, an evil queen, a birdcatcher dressed as a bird, all set in a world of fantasy. “The Magic Flute” contains some of Mozart’s most memorable tunes, from Papageno’s charming opening aria to the Queen of the Night’s rangy Act II aria in which she seeks revenge. Listen to Natalie Dessay perform the Queen of the Night aria. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUEbgNS15dw

On this day in the musical theatre: “The Boy Friend” opened in New York in 1954. The success of the musical’s London production prompted a Broadway version that marked the U.S. debut of Julie Andrews. Set on the French Riviera during the Roaring Twenties, “The Boy Friend” features one of Sandy Wilson’s most attractive scores, including such gems as “Won’t You Charleston With Me,” “I Could Be Happy With You,” “The Riviera” and the rousing title number. Andrews’ fine performance in “The boy Friend” was largely responsible for her getting cast as Eliza Dolittle two years later. Fifty years after starring in “The Boy Friend,” Andrews directed a production of the musical. Watch a montage from that production. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iIvSe2UxGM

Musical musings: From the first note of the overture, rendered by a band replete with banjo and wood block, you are transplanted to the hilarious days of John Held, Jr., the Charleston and flat-front dresses. You are aware that your leg is being pulled, at the same time you feel a tug at your heart strings. What keeps it better than just an enlarged sketch is that you really get carried away by the romance of the boy and the girl. Julie Andrews, the girl, looks like all the musical comedy heroines you’ve ever seen, only more so. – from Opening Night on Broadway by Stephen Suskin

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