John La Touche

John La Touche

John Treville Latouche (November 13, 1914 in Richmond, VirginiaAugust 7, 1956 in Calais, Vermont) was a musician and writer.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Latouche's family moved to Richmond, Virginia when he was four months old. Much of his work included Rabelaisan humor and was therefore often censored or protested. He attended Columbia University but never graduated.

In 1937 he had two songs in the revue, "Pins and Needles" and in 1939 for the show "Sing For Your Supper" he did the lyrics for "Ballad for Uncle Sam," later retitled "Ballad for Americans" with music by Earl Robinson. It was featured at both the 1939 Republican Convention and the convention of the American Communist Party.

Most famously, he wrote the Ballad for Americans that was extremely popular in 1940s America. This 13-minute cantata to American democracy was written for a soloist and as well as a full orchestra. The music was written by Earl Robinson. When performed on the CBS radio network by singer Paul Robeson, it became a national success. Subsequently, both Robeson and Bing Crosby regularly performed it.

He provided the lyrics for Vernon Duke's "Cabin in the Sky" (1940) and "Banjo Eyes" which starred Eddie Cantor (1941). He wrote the book and lyrics for "The Golden Apple" in 1954 with music by Jerome Moross, which won the New York Drama Critics Award for Best Musical. For Leonard Bernstein's "Candide" he provided additional lyrics in 1955. He also wrote the libretto to Douglas Moore's opera "The Ballad of Baby Doe," one of the few American operas to join the standard repertoire.

He was a protégé of James Branch Cabell and friends with writer Jack Woodford. Latouche dated Louella Woodford when they were both teenagers.

Latouche died of a sudden heart attack at his Calais, Vermont home at the age of 41,

Works

* "Walpurgis Eve" (1928 play)
* "Flair-Flair, the Idol of Paree" (1935 musical)
* "Ballad for Americans" (1939 cantata)
* "Beggar's Holiday" (1946 musical)
* "Ballad of Baby Doe" (1956 opera)

External links

* [http://www.babydoe.org/latouche.htm Photo and Bio.]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • John La Touche (politician) — John La Touche (c. 1774 ndash; 30 January, 1820) was a Whig UK Member of Parliament representing Dublin City 1802 1806 and Leitrim 1807 1820.In the UK General Election of 1802 La Touche defeated Tory MP the Right Honourable George Ogle. He was… …   Wikipedia

  • John Wray — John Ray Pour les articles homonymes, voir Ray (homonymie). John Ray …   Wikipédia en Français

  • John H. Kelly — John Herbert Kelly The Boy General of the Confederacy John Herbert Kelly, Brigadier Général de l armée Confédérée Surnom The Boy General of the Confederacy Naissance …   Wikipédia en Français

  • John Ray — Pour les articles homonymes, voir Ray (homonymie). John Ray John Ray, né le 29 novembre 1627 dans le village de Black …   Wikipédia en Français

  • John Ruskin — (né le 8 février 1819 à Londres et décédé le 20 janvier 1900 dans sa résidence de Brantwood à Coniston en Cumbrie) est un écrivain, poète, peintre et critique d art britannique. Fils unique d une riche famille, il fut éduqué à …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Touche pas a mon rein — Touche pas à mon rein Touche pas à mon rein Saison 10 Épisode n°8 Titre original Homer Simpson in: Kidney Trouble Titre québecois Homer Simpson dans « un tour de rein » Code de production AABF04 …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Touche pas a mes filles — Touche pas à mes filles Touche pas à mes filles Titre original 8 Simple Rules Genre Sitcom Créateur(s) Tracy Gamble Production Buena Vista Productions Pays d’origine …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Touche pas à mes filles! — Touche pas à mes filles Touche pas à mes filles Titre original 8 Simple Rules Genre Sitcom Créateur(s) Tracy Gamble Production Buena Vista Productions Pays d’origine …   Wikipédia en Français

  • John David Digues La Touche — (5 June 1861 Tours 1935 , Majorca (at sea)) was an Irish ornithologist.The La Touche family was of Huguenot extraction, however John David Digues Latouch was educated at Downside Abbey, near Bath.He entered the Imperial Maritime Customs Service… …   Wikipedia

  • John Wark — à Ålesund en 2006 …   Wikipédia en Français

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”