American Music Theatre from Kern to Sondheim

The American musical is a relatively new form which developed over the years leading up to the 20th century. In the romantic period, 'heavy' operas by composers such as Verdi and Puccini lead to a reaction in Europe where composers such as Offenbach began to write lighter comedy operas. In England during the late 19th century, Gilbert and Sullivan developed the form in their D'Oyly Carte opera productions. Speech was introduced, and the operettas developed until they were almost plays with songs. Also contrary to ideas at the time, they mocked Victorian social propriety and class distincti…