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DER TAPFERE SOLDAT · THE CHOCO- LATE SOLDIER
Kränzle · Stein · Dickie · Berger · WDR RUNDFUNKORCHESTER KÖLN · SIEGFRIED KÖHLER
Oscar Straus was indeed born in Vienna (on 6 March 1870) but was not related to the famous Straus dynasty. In 1907 bis Waltz Dream, with Lehar's two years older Merry Widow, launched a worldwide Viennese fashion, until even Broadway reeled to the waltz step; and with his Chocolate Soldier, after a comedy by G.B. Shaw, he not only conquered England and the USA but, with his dramaturgically new musical form, is considered there a pioneer of the musical. There are plenty of evergreens, from operetta, from movies, lots of chansons and songs! “It is true – he once said – I am writing popular tunes to be chanted in the streets, but only in the choicest of streets“.