Richard Rodgers's Works Prior to 1943 (Chiefly with Lorenz Hart)

Class Preparation

• Given that Rodgers and Hart wrote hundreds of songs--many of them standards of the American Songbook--I expect you can sing several of them without even looking up the lyrics, so spend this week indulging your inner crooner or torch singer by listening to some of your favorites.
• If bullet one does not describe you, explore a couple of these: "Where or When," "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered," "Johnny One Note," or "The Lady is a Tramp."

Handouts

Lorenz Hart Lyrics (lyrics to five songs we'll look at in class)
Class Slides (final version)

Links to videos shown in class

• "Sing for Your Supper" by Fleming, von Stade, and Horne 
• Complete 2017 "restoration" production of Oklahoma! by the North Carolina School of the Arts: Act One, Act Two
• Wikipedia discussion of Racial Issues in producing Show Boat:   Link 
• "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue" ballet from the 1939 film version of On Your Toes.
• "Where or When" sung by Brian D'Arcy James and Susan Egan
• Elaine Stritch sings "Zip"
• Ella Fitzgerald sings "To Keep My Love Alive" (audio only)
• Ella Fitzgerald sings "The Lady is a Tramp" (audio only)

Class Feedback/Evaluation of Today's Class

What worked?

• Videos were great
  
• "Tribute" to Lorenz Hart 
• Background information/context provided about the work of Rodgers and Hart
• Learning more about Hart than was in the book
• Finding out where these great songs come from

What would make it even better?

• When someone "down front" asks a question, repeat it for the rest of the class.