Victor Herbert composed in every style of music but he is perhaps best remembered today as the creator of delightful and elegant songs. His wife...

Victor Herbert composed in every style of music but he is perhaps best remembered today as the creator of delightful and elegant songs. His wife to be, Therese Foster, was already an established soprano in Germany in 1885 when Herbert, a cellist of the orchestra at Stuttgart's Royal Court, first met her. In 1896, Therese was discovered by Frank Damrosch, who was touring Europe to find fresh talent for the Metropolitan Opera. Therese refused a contract, which she refused unless Herbert was also offered a position in the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Damrosch agreed. They were married in August 1896, and came to America that fall. Therese was scheduled for many major performances. She was an immediate success, and although she shortly retired from singing, it is not surprising, given Herbert's prolific gifts as a composer and arranger, that many of his finest efforts were the result of his collaborations with Therese and, by extension, for the soprano voice. As he began writing for the musical theater -some forty operettas and two operas - a variety of other well-known sopranos became the vehicles for Herbert's gifts.
- Keuth Brion