Dominick Argento / Ben Franklin in Paris

On this day in classical music: American composer Dominick Argento was born in York, Pennsylvania in 1927. A faculty member at the University of Minnesota department of music from 1958 to 1997, Argento became known as one of the 20th century’s most respected choral composers. He has written numerous operas, song cycles and choral music. His song cycle “From the Diary of Virginia Woolf” won the 1975 Pulitzer Prize. Argento composed “Cenotaphs” for the 50th anniversary of the American Choral Directors Association, a work that was given its world premiere in Oklahoma City in March 2009. Listen to the University of Southern California Concert Choir perform Argento’s “Gloria.” Cristian Grases conducts. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nasvu-hgjkw

On this day in the musical theatre: “Ben Franklin in Paris” opened on Broadway in 1964. Starring Robert Preston as the celebrated inventor, ambassador and founding father, “Ben Franklin in Paris” follows Franklin to the French capital where he seeks support for this country’s war against England. The pendulum swings in and out of his favor, according to whether the Colonists are victorious or beaten in battle. Compounding the situation is his son William’s treasonous act of siding with the enemy. Franklin ultimately succeeds and is named Ambassador to France. Featuring a score by Mark Sandrich, Jr. and Sidney Michaels, “Ben Franklin in Paris” managed a six-month run thanks to Preston’s commanding performance. Listen to a solo piano version of “How Laughable It Is” from “Ben Franklin in Paris.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awnrpyNGtQE

Musical musings: Neither the wig nor the fine 18th-century coat, waistcoat, breeches and boots can fool us. That genial, lightfooted, resourceful salesman who answers to the name of Ben Franklin is really our old friend selling band instruments in Iowa. Airborne in the balloon’s basketlike gondola, Mr. Preston and Miss (Ulla) Sallert (as Madame La Comtesse Diane de Vobrillac) sing Mark Sandrich, Jr.’s best tune, “To Be Alone with You.” – Howard Taubman in The New York Times

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