The Silver operetta and the Golden musical: The influence of the Viennese operetta of the Silver Age (1905-1935) on the Broadway musical of the Golden Age (1943-1964)

This dissertation will examine the history of the Viennese Operetta of the Silver tradition and its influence on the American Musical Theatre scene of Broadway's Golden Era. This paper will also study the history of Broadway's Golden Era, discussing a variety of influences such as the revue, burlesque, vaudeville, musical comedy, the musical play, and operetta. The thesis of this work is that the Viennese operetta of the Silver Age (1905--1935) has had more influence over American composers of the Broadway musical of the Golden Age (1943--1964) than the previously mentioned factors. This will be supported through a comparative and critical analysis of Franz Lehar's Die lustige Witwe (The Merry Widow) and Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner's My Fair Lady.