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Ralph Benatzki (b. 1884) Austrian composer of Czech origin (Bohemia was then part of the Austrian Empire; Benatzky mostly worked in Vienna). He studied music under the renowned conductor, Felix Josef von Mottl in Munich and worked as a conductor and lyric writer. In Vienna, he worked at Rideamus Cabaret as a creative director and composed numerous chanson and cabaret songs. In his late 20's after moving to Berlin, he composed musical-like works. He immigrated to the United States in 1938 and worked in Hollywood. He returned to Europe after the war and lived in Zurich until his last days in 1957.
The White Horse Inn was completed and premiered in 1930. In it, Leopold Brandmeyer, head waiter at The White Horse Inn, is hopelessly in love with his boss, the owner of the inn, Josepha Vogelhuber. The narrative is based on their love stories as well as other guests' and consists of three main parts. The Operetta, written in American musical style, utilizes melodies from "Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80" and Radetzky-Marsch in bitonality, employing innovative writing styles.
(Eiji Suzuki)
