Whence the Musical? episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 24, 2025 · 30 MIN

Whence the Musical?

from The Medley of Extemporanea

Examining the origins of the musical, above and beyond its relatively limited American history, is a thorny trail, leading from the songspiels of 17th-century middle Europe to jazz-age Berlin. It's a story that's much larger than Show Boat and The Black Crook.SONGS FEATURED:"He is an Englishman" from HMS PinaforeOverture from The Magic Flute"Overture" from Show Boat"March of the Amazons" from The Black Crook"L'amour est un oiseau rebelle" from Carmen"Our great Mikado, virtuous man" from The Mikado"How beautifully blue the sky" from The Pirates of Penzance"Mad Dogs and Englishmen" from The Third Little Show"The Family Solicitor" from Me and My Girl"'Til the Clouds Roll By" from Oh, Boy!"When you're lying awake with a dismal headache" from Iolanthe"Please Hello" from Pacific Overtures"The Elements" from Tomfoolery"Dat's Love" from Carmen Jones"Indian Love Call" from Rose-Marie"The Lonely Goatherd" from The Sound of Music"Maxim's" from The Merry Widow"Playing Croquet" from Little Mary Sunshine"The Ballad of Mack the Knife" from The Threepenny Opera"Carousel Waltz" from Carousel

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Whence the Musical?

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This episode is 30 minutes long.

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This episode was published on August 24, 2025.

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Examining the origins of the musical, above and beyond its relatively limited American history, is a thorny trail, leading from the songspiels of 17th-century middle Europe to jazz-age Berlin. It's a story that's much larger than Show Boat and The...

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