Great Lake Operetta's Inaugural Fundraising Event: 

A Victor Herbert Centenary Celebration: The Magic Knight & Other Herbert Hits in Concert

Great Lakes Operetta's inaugural concert celebrates the works of American composer and cellist Victor Herbert (1859-1924). Victor Herbert, described by the the Library of Congress as the "Grandfather of American Musical Theatre," was a prolific composer most known for his 40+ stage works, many of which premiered on Broadway in theaters such as the New Amsterdam, New Lyric, and Shubert Theatres. Herbert is also known as the founder of ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers).

The program begins with The Magic Knight, a 30-minute, one-act parody of Wagner's opera Lohengrin (based on medieval German Arthurian legends). This hilarious and tuneful send-up of  grand opera tropes is reminiscent of Gilbert & Sullivan's one-act masterpiece, Trial by Jury. The Magic Knight was originally written as a show-within-a-show section of Herbert's full-length operetta Dream City, but it works marvelously as a stand-alone piece. This presentation will be semi-staged with piano accompaniment.

The remaining hour of the program features some of Victor Herbert's greatest hits, including songs from Naughty Marietta, Mme. Modiste, The Red Mill, The Fortune Teller, Babes in Toyland, and more.

The program will feature a cast of musicians all hailing from the greater Chicago area. (For cast and creative team details, please visit our website.) Four performances will be presented (with some cast members altering roles in The Magic Knight). 

Performances will be given at the beautiful, historic Mayslake Hall at the Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook, Illinois. This unique, atmospheric venue offers approximately 120 seats, ample parking, and ADA accessibility options.

Running time is approximately 90 Minutes with no intermission.

Select Performances: Pre-Show Tour & Talk

Join us 45 minutes before the Saturday and Sunday matinees for an exclusive, 30-minute Pre-Show Tour & Talk. As the GLO Team guides you through the Mayslake Peabody Mansion (constructed 1919-1922), you will learn about what was happening on the American musical stage during these years: while Mr. Peabody was building his dream house, Victor Herbert and other composers of American operetta were laying the foundations for what would become the modern musical. Please note that part of the tour is accessible only via stairs. 

— Saturday (November 9th) Tour & Talk Time: 3:45-4:15 p.m. 

— Sunday (November 10th) Tour & Talk Time: 2:15-2:45 p.m.