Babes in Toyland composer finds a “Joyland” in Lake Placid

Online presentation celebrates Babes in Toyland composer Victor Herbert

You have a chance this fall to be informed and entertained by the story of a composer who left behind a famous work, but whose name is not so famous anymore.  Composer Victor Herbert was a towering figure on the American musical scene during his lifetime. Changing musical taste, however, has all but obliterated the career of a man who wrote 43 operettas, an opera, and incidental music for seven seasons of the Ziegfield Follies.

An online illustrated lecture and performance will cover his life, music and contributions to the union movement.  It will also explore the composer’s connection to Lake Placid, where he named his camp “Joyland.”

Lake Placid-North Elba Historical Society president Parmelee Tolkan serves as the lecturer.

Bass-baritone George Cordes, soprano Annachristi Cordes, and pianist Elizabeth Cordes perform selections of Herbert’s work.

You may view this in-depth musical presentation online from October 23rd until November 6th. 

Visit the website of the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts for more information.

The Victor Herbert presentation joins a series of online videos and streams from the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts, where George Cordes serves as General Director.

Cordes and Spotlight producer Paul Larson had a chat about the many online activities of the center, and you may hear their conversation here.

Spotlight is made possible, in part, by the Glenn and Carol Pearsall Adirondack Foundation, dedicated to improving the quality of life for year-round residents of the Adirondack Park.  Spotlight is also supported by Hill & Hollow Music.