Search - Ohio Light Opera, Victor Herbert, Henry Blossom :: Victor Herbert: The Red Mill

Victor Herbert's most tuneful operetta.

D. R. Schryer | Poquoson, VA United States | 07/30/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Victor Herbert composed an incredible string of first-rate operettas, but none contains more great songs than the Red Mill. Admittedly the plot is silly, even by operetta standards, but the songs -- Moonbeams, Everyday is Ladies Day with Me, When You're Pretty and the World is Fair, The Sidewalks of New York, Because You're You, and more -- are terrific. Thank you Ohio Light Opera for resurrecting this neglected treasure. And please keep giving us more great operettas. Please encourage them -- and treat yourself -- by buying The Red Mill. There's got to be a market for music this good."

The Red Mill--A First

D. R. Schryer | 01/16/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had already heard a few excerpts on the Keith Brion recording of instrumental selections from Babes in Toyland, and, of course, everyone knows "Moonbeams." Now we discover that the soprano is actually singing this out of a second-story window of--what else--an old mill (red?) she's been locked in by her nasty "Burgomaster" daddy. And she isn't addressing the moon at all, but her boyfriend below, who has himself assembled a male octet of backup singers to echo her serenade with a refrain or two of his own---the perfect, Turn of the Century (1900, that is) sort of nostalgia for which all but the hardest heart must sometimes yearn.
Thanks to the Ohio Light Opera, who again score--this time on Albany Records--with this delightful old work. We are presented with what has to be the entire "book"--humorous, but endless (thanks to CD tracks, one can hop), so while historic, this does, ahem, go on. Still, the enthusiasm of the performers and the excellent orchestral work by J. Lynn Thompson with his small pit band and the amazingly polite--cough-free--audience, make this a welcome addition."

The happiest old musical ever?

A. Grossman | Florence, Oregon USA | 01/20/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Finally a complete RED MILL which must be the only operetta, musical comedy, light opera and vaudeville ever put together in one show. Play this charming musical and forget all your worries and troubles. Travel back about 100 years and just wish you could be there. Hopefully Ohio Light Opera will continue there yearly Herbert contribution (they did Naughty Marietts last year) and follow with Sweethearts, Mlle. Modiste, Cyrano de Bergerac, Only Girl or Babes in Toyland. The price is high but worth every penny. Enjoy two CDs of pure happiness."