Wright, Robert. (1914 - 2005) & Forrest, George. (1915 - 1999). "Stranger in Paradise" ("Kismet") - Signed Presentation Copy. Boston: Frank Music Affiliates. 1953 [later issue]. 4to. 5 pp. A pristine presentation copy, inscribed on the front cover from the composer and lyricist "with fond affection to the National Musical Theatre - and to the...of our Music and Lyrics - Robert Wright / George Forrest / 1978." Very fine.
"Stranger in Paradise" is a popular song from the musical Kismet (1953), with words and music by professional and romantic partners Robert Wright and George Forrest. Like almost all the music in that show, the melody was adapted from music composed by Alexander Borodin, in this case, the "Gliding Dance of the Maidens", from the Polovtsian Dances in the opera Prince Igor (1890). The song in the musical is a lovers' duet and describes the transcendent feelings that love brings to their surroundings. Later versions were mostly edited to be sung by male solo artists - the most popular version was sung by Tony Bennett (1953). Forrest and Wright won a Tony Award for their work on Kismet.
From the collection of Alex Parker, visionary NYC Times Square real estate developer who owned the building at One Times Square that housed (rent free!) the Songwriters Hall of Fame museum space in the 1980s and developed close relationships with many popular composers and lyricists.
Wright, Robert. (1914 - 2005) & Forrest, George. (1915 - 1999). "Stranger in Paradise" ("Kismet") - Signed Presentation Copy. Boston: Frank Music Affiliates. 1953 [later issue]. 4to. 5 pp. A pristine presentation copy, inscribed on the front cover from the composer and lyricist "with fond affection to the National Musical Theatre - and to the...of our Music and Lyrics - Robert Wright / George Forrest / 1978." Very fine.
"Stranger in Paradise" is a popular song from the musical Kismet (1953), with words and music by professional and romantic partners Robert Wright and George Forrest. Like almost all the music in that show, the melody was adapted from music composed by Alexander Borodin, in this case, the "Gliding Dance of the Maidens", from the Polovtsian Dances in the opera Prince Igor (1890). The song in the musical is a lovers' duet and describes the transcendent feelings that love brings to their surroundings. Later versions were mostly edited to be sung by male solo artists - the most popular version was sung by Tony Bennett (1953). Forrest and Wright won a Tony Award for their work on Kismet.
From the collection of Alex Parker, visionary NYC Times Square real estate developer who owned the building at One Times Square that housed (rent free!) the Songwriters Hall of Fame museum space in the 1980s and developed close relationships with many popular composers and lyricists.