View source for Emmerich Kálmán

{{Short description|Hungarian-born composer of operettas (1882–1953)}}
{{Eastern name order|Kálmán Imre}}
{{More footnotes|date=January 2018}}
[[File:Kálmán Imre cropped (Willinger Vilmos, 1924).jpg|thumb|upright|Emmerich Kálmán]]
'''Emmerich Kálmán''' ({{langx|hu|Kálmán Imre}} {{IPA|hu|ˈkaːlmaːn ˈimrɛ|}}; 24 October 1882 – 30 October 1953) was a [[Kingdom of Hungary|Hungarian]] composer of [[operetta]]s and a prominent figure in the development of [[Operetta#Austria–Hungary|Viennese operetta]] in the 20th century. Among his most popular works are ''[[Die Csárdásfürstin]]'' (1915) and ''[[Countess Maritza|Gräfin Mariza]]'' (1924). Influences on his compositional style include Hungarian folk music (such as the [[csárdás]]), the Viennese style of precursors such as [[Johann Strauss II]] and [[Franz Lehár]], and, in his later works, American [[jazz]]. As a result of the ''[[Anschluss]],'' Kálmán and his family fled to Paris and then to the United States. He eventually returned to Europe in 1949 and died in Paris in 1953.

==Biography==
{{one source|section|date=January 2018}}
Kálmán was born '''Imre Koppstein''' in [[Siófok]], then in [[Austria-Hungary]], on the southern shore of [[Lake Balaton]], to a [[Jew]]ish family. Kálmán initially intended to become a concert [[piano|pianist]], but because of early-onset [[arthritis]], he focused on composition instead. He studied [[music theory]] and [[musical composition|composition]] at the [[Franz Liszt Academy of Music|National Hungarian Royal Academy of Music]] (then the Budapest Academy of Music), where he was a fellow student of [[Béla Bartók]] and [[Zoltán Kodály]] under [[Hans von Koessler|Hans Kössler]].

His early symphonic poems ''Saturnalia'' and ''Endre és Johanna'' were well-received, although he failed to achieve publication. He also composed piano music and wrote many songs: a song cycle on poems by Ludwig Jacobowski and a song collection published under the title ''Dalai''.
[[File:M.Sander - Imre Kalman, 2015.jpg|thumb|upright|Young Kálmán, by Mart Sander]]
However, the popularity of his humorous cabaret songs led him towards the composition of [[operetta]]s. His first great success was ''Tatárjárás'' – ''Ein Herbstmanöver'' in German, meaning ''Autumn maneuver'', although the English title is ''[[The Gay Hussars]]'', which was first staged at the {{Lang|de|Lustspieltheater}} in [[Budapest]], on 22 February 1908. Thereafter he moved to [[Vienna]], where he achieved worldwide fame through his operettas ''[[Der Zigeunerprimas]]'', ''[[Die Csárdásfürstin]]'', ''[[Gräfin Mariza]]'', and ''[[Die Zirkusprinzessin]]''.
[[File:Kalman Imre B Siofok.jpg|thumb|upright|Bust of Kálmán in Siófok]]
Kálmán and [[Franz Lehár]] were the leading composers of what has been called the "Silver Age" of Viennese operetta during the first quarter of the 20th century. He became well known for his fusion of Viennese [[waltz]] with Hungarian [[csárdás]]. Even so, [[Polyphony|polyphonically]] and [[Melody|melodically]], Kálmán was a devoted follower of [[Giacomo Puccini]], while in his [[orchestration]] methods he employed principles characteristic of [[Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky|Tchaikovsky]]'s music.

In 1929, his first child (with [[Vera Mendelsohn]]), [[Charles Kalman]] (1929–2015) was born and would later on be also a composer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://operetta-research-center.org/charles-kalman-dies-aged-85/|title=A Great Loss: Charles Kálmán Dies Aged 85|date=24 February 2015|access-date=2 May 2022|author=Kevin Clarke|publisher=Operetta Research Centre|website=operetta-research-center.org}}</ref> His daughter Elisabeth Kalman Daunis (1931-1973) was found murdered in Paris, aged 41.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-1975-paris-beheading/90783847/ ''New York Daily News'', 17 May, 1973]</ref> His youngest daughter Yvonne Kálmán was born in 1937 and died in November 2025.<ref>[http://operetta-research-center.org/farewell-yvonne-kalman-1936-2025/ 'Farewell, Yvonne Kálmán (1937-2025)'], Operetta Research Center</ref>

Despite his Jewish origins he was one of [[Adolf Hitler]]'s favorite composers. After the [[Anschluss]], he rejected Hitler's offer to become an '[[honorary Aryan]]' and was forced to move first to Paris, then to the United States, settling in [[California]] in 1940.<ref>[http://www.lyricoperasandiego.org/resource_library/PeopleKalman.htm Lyric Opera San Diego] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720120328/http://www.lyricoperasandiego.org/resource_library/PeopleKalman.htm|date=20 July 2008}}</ref>

==Last years and death==
Following his emigration, performances of his works were prohibited in Nazi Germany. He emigrated back to Vienna from New York in 1949 before moving in 1951 to Paris, where he died.<ref>[[Kevin Clarke (music historian)|Kevin Clarke]]. ''Emmerich Kálmán und die transatlantische Operette'' (2005)</ref>

==Popular culture==
In 1958 a West German biopic ''[[The Csardas King]]'' was made of his life, starring [[Gerhard Riedmann]] in the lead role.

The supporters of both the national football and handball teams of [[Iceland]] use a version of the song ''{{lang|de|Heut’ Nacht hab’ ich geträumt von dir}}'' from his operetta ''[[Das Veilchen vom Montmartre]]'' as an anthem, with Icelandic lyrics (''{{lang|is|[[Ég er kominn heim]]}}'').

The overnight sleeper train from Stuttgart to Budapest is named ''The Kalman Imre''.

==Operettas==
* ''Tatárjárás'' (The Mongol Invasion) – Budapest, 1908
** ''Ein Herbstmanöver'' – Vienna, 1909 (German version of ''Tatárjárás'')
** ''[[The Gay Hussars]]'' – [[Knickerbocker Theatre (Broadway)|Knickerbocker Theatre]], [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]], New York, 1909 (American version of ''Tatárjárás'')<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/6811 |title=''The Gay Hussars'' |website=IBDB.com |publisher=[[Internet Broadway Database]] }}</ref>
** ''Autumn Manoeuvres'' – London, 1912 (English version of ''Tatárjárás'')
* ''[[Az obsitos]]'' (The Veteran) – Budapest, 1910
** ''Der gute Kamerad'' – Vienna, 1911 (German revision of ''Az Obsitos'')
** ''Gold gab ich für Eisen'' – Vienna, 1914 (revision of ''Der gute Kamerad'')
** ''Her Soldier Boy'' – [[Astor Theatre (New York City)|Astor Theatre]], [[Lyric Theatre (New York City, 1903)|Lyric Theastre]], [[Shubert Theatre (New York City)|Shubert Theatre]], New York, 1916/17<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/7767 |title=''Her Soldier Boy'' |website=IBDB.com |publisher=[[Internet Broadway Database]] }}</ref>
** ''Soldier Boy'' – London, 1918
* ''[[Der Zigeunerprimas]]'' (The Gypsy Band Leader) – Vienna, 1912
** ''Sari'' – [[Liberty Theatre]], [[New Amsterdam Theatre]], New York, 1914<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/7028 |title=''Sari'' |website=IBDB.com |publisher=[[Internet Broadway Database]] }}</ref>
* ''The Blue House'' – London, 1912
* ''Der kleine König'' (The Little King) – Vienna, 1912
* ''[[Zsuzsi kisasszony]]'' – Budapest, 1915
** ''Miss Springtime'' – New Amsterdam Theatre, New York, 1916/17<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/8446 |title=''Miss Springtime'' |website=IBDB.com |publisher=[[Internet Broadway Database]] }}</ref>
** ''Die Faschingsfee'' – Vienna, 1917 (German revision of ''Zsuzsi kisasszony'')
* ''[[Die Csárdásfürstin]]'' – Vienna, 1915
** ''The Riviera Girl'' – New Amsterdam Theatre, New York, 1917<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/8578 |title=''The Riviera Girl'' |website=IBDB.com |publisher=[[Internet Broadway Database]] }}</ref>
** ''The Gipsy Princess'' – London, 1921
* ''Das Hollandweibchen'' – Vienna, 1920
** ''A Little Dutch Girl'' – London, 1920
** ''La Holandesita'' – Spain, 1921 (Spanish version by Casimiro Giralt)
** ''The Dutch Girl'' – U.S., 1925
* ''[[Die Bajadere (operetta)|Die Bajadere]]'' – Vienna, 1921
** ''The Yankee Princess'' – Knickerbocker Theatre, New York, 1922<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/9125 |title=''The Yankee Princess'' |website=IBDB.com |publisher=[[Internet Broadway Database]] }}</ref>
* ''[[Gräfin Mariza]]'' – Vienna, 1924
** ''Countess Maritza'' – Shubert Theatre, New York, 1926/27, with [[Yvonne D'Arle|Yvonne d'Arle]] in the title role.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/10120 |title=''Countess Maritza'' |website=IBDB.com |publisher=[[Internet Broadway Database]] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Philadelphia Inquirer 25 Apr 1926, page Page 67 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/173436520/ |access-date=2022-10-21 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}}</ref>
** ''Maritza'' – London, 1938
* ''[[Die Zirkusprinzessin]]'' – Vienna, 1926
** ''The Circus Princess'' – [[Winter Garden Theatre]], New York, 1927<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/10293 |title=''The Circus Princess'' |website=IBDB.com |publisher=[[Internet Broadway Database]] }}</ref>
* ''[[Golden Dawn (operetta)|Golden Dawn]]'' – [[Ed Sullivan Theater|Hammerstein's Theatre]], New York, 1927/28<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/10507 |title=''Golden Dawn'' |website=IBDB.com |publisher=[[Internet Broadway Database]] }}</ref>
* ''[[Die Herzogin von Chicago]]'' – Vienna, 1928
** ''The Duchess of Chicago'' – U.S., 1929
* ''[[Das Veilchen vom Montmartre]]'' – Vienna, 1930
** ''Paris in Spring'' – U.S., 1930
** ''A Kiss in Spring'' – London, 1932
* ''Der Teufelsreiter'' (Az ördöglovas – The Devil Rider) – Vienna, 1932
* ''[[Kaiserin Josephine]]'' – Zurich, 1936
* ''Miss Underground'' – written 1942, unproduced
* ''[[Marinka (operetta)|Marinka]]'' – Winter Garden Theatre, [[Ethel Barrymore Theatre]], New York, 1945<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/1717 |title=''Marinka'' |website=IBDB.com |publisher=[[Internet Broadway Database]] }}</ref>
* ''[[Arizona Lady]]'' – Bern, 1954

==References==
'''Notes'''
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* [[Kevin Clarke (music historian)|Clarke, Kevin]]. ''Im Himmel spielt auch schon die Jazzband. Emmerich Kálmán und die transatlantische Operette 1928–1932''. Hamburg: von Bockel Verlag, 2007 {{ISBN|978-3-932696-70-1}}. (examines Kálmán's jazz-operettas of the 1920s, with extensive English quotes from historical Broadway- and West End reviews)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110727152132/http://operetta-research-center.org/main.php?task=searchart&tab=2&id=00084 Historical reviews and a biography/worklist] by [[Kurt Gänzl]]
* {{cite thesis|url=http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-06142005-160600/unrestricted/Martin_thesis.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230357/http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-06142005-160600/unrestricted/Martin_thesis.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-03 |title=A Survey of the Operettas of Emmerich Kálmán|last=Wright Martin|first=Jessie|date=August 2005|publisher=Louisiana State University|type=Doctor of Musical Arts|ref=none}}
* [[Yuri Nagibin|Nagibin, Yuri]]. Вечная музыка [''Eternal Music'']. Russia, ACT, 2004. {{ISBN|5-17-021655-6}}. (pp.&nbsp;201–345)

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Emmerich Kálmán}}
* {{IMSLP|id=Kálmán, Emmerich|cname=Emmerich Kálmán}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090106185206/http://www.operettafoundation.org/oarchives.htm Links to numerous Kálmán recordings]
* {{IBDB name|11970}}
* {{IMDb name|0477578|Emmerich Kálmán}}

{{Emmerich Kálmán}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Kalman, Emmerich}}
[[Category:1882 births]]
[[Category:1953 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Siófok]]
[[Category:Hungarian Jews]]
[[Category:Jewish classical composers]]
[[Category:Hungarian emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:Hungarian musical theatre composers]]
[[Category:Hungarian opera composers]]
[[Category:Hungarian operetta composers]]
[[Category:Hungarian male opera composers]]
[[Category:Jewish opera composers]]
[[Category:American people of Hungarian-Jewish descent]]
[[Category:Franz Liszt Academy of Music alumni]]
[[Category:20th-century Hungarian male musicians]]