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Lehár

Born in Hungary in 1870, Franz Lehár Jr. initially pursued a career as a violinist and military bandmaster, honing his instrumental and compositional skills. A student of the Prague Conservatory, he received encouragement from Dvořák. While active in military music, Lehár's ambitions extended to the stage and concert hall.

His early instrumental works, such as the virtuosic Ungarische Fantasie, showcased his melodic gift and engagement with Hungarian idioms. However, it was his operettas that secured his global fame. Beginning with successes like "Wiener Frauen" and reaching its zenith with "Die lustige Witwe" (The Merry Widow) in 1905, Lehár's sophisticated blend of waltz rhythms, romantic melodies, and lighthearted drama captivated audiences worldwide. He continued to compose popular operettas throughout his life, solidifying his legacy as a master of the genre until his death in 1948 in Austria.

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