Robert Bache Smith ( June 4, 1875 – November 6, 1951) was an American

librettist A libretto (From the Italian word , ) is the text used in, or intended for, an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata or musical. The term ''libretto'' is also sometimes used to refer to the text of major ...

and

lyricist A lyricist is a writer who writes lyrics (the spoken words), as opposed to a composer, who writes the song's music which may include but not limited to the melody, harmony, arrangement and accompaniment. Royalties A lyricist's income derives ...

. His older brother, Harry B. Smith, was also a successful lyricist and a writer and composer. Born in Chicago, Smith began his career apprenticing with the famed

vaudeville Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment which began in France in the middle of the 19th century. A ''vaudeville'' was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a drama ...

duo

Weber Weber may refer to: Places United States * Weber, Missouri, an unincorporated community * Weber City, Virginia, a town * Weber City, Fluvanna County, Virginia, an unincorporated community * Weber County, Utah * Weber Canyon, Utah * Weber R ...

and

Fields Fields may refer to: Music *Fields (band), an indie rock band formed in 2006 * Fields (progressive rock band), a progressive rock band formed in 1971 * ''Fields'' (album), an LP by Swedish-based indie rock band Junip (2010) * "Fields", a song by ...

at the

Weber and Fields' Broadway Music Hall Weber and Fields' Broadway Music Hall, sometimes simplified to Weber and Fields' Music Hall, was a Broadway theatre located in Manhattan on 29th Street near the corner of 29th and Broadway going towards Sixth Avenue.Henderson, p. 133 It was the r ...

. He most notably wrote the lyrics to “Come Down, Ma Evenin' Star” from Weber and Fields' '' Twirly Whirly'' (1902; famously sung by

Lillian Russell Lillian Russell (born Helen Louise Leonard; December 4, 1860 or 1861 – June 6, 1922) was an American actress and singer. She became one of the most famous actresses and singers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, praised for her beaut ...

). He went on to write libretti for

operetta Operetta is a form of theatre and a genre of light opera. It includes spoken dialogue, songs and including dances. It is lighter than opera in terms of its music, orchestral size, and length of the work. Apart from its shorter length, the oper ...

s and lyrics for musicals, including such works as '' Fantana'' (1905), ''

The Spring Maid ''The'' is a grammatical article in English, denoting nouns that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' ...

'' (1910), '' Sweethearts'' (1913), and '' Angel Face'' (1919). His last work was ''

The Girl in the Spotlight ''The'' is a grammatical article in English, denoting nouns that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' ...

'' (credited as Richard Bruce) in 1920. He died in New York City at the age of 76.

Selected productions

*'' Twirly Whirly'' – musical, book written in 1902 *''

Breaking Into Society ''Breaking Into Society'' is a 1923 American silent comedy film directed by Hunt Stromberg and starring Carrie Clark Ward, Bull Montana, and Kalla Pasha. Plot As described in a film magazine review, the O'Toole's of Tin Can Alley inherit a grea ...

'' – musical, book and lyrics written in 1902 *''

'' – musical, book and lyrics written in 1910 *''The Rose Maid'' – musical, lyrics written in 1912 *''The Girl from Montmartre'' – musical, lyrics written in 1913 *''

Lilac Domino ''Der lila Domino'' (''The Lilac Domino'') is an operetta in three acts composed by Charles Cuvillier. The original German libretto is by Emmerich von Gatti and Bela Jenbach, about a gambling count who falls in love at a masquerade ball with a ...

'' – Broadway adaptation, written in 1914 *''A Lonely Romeo'' – musical, lyrics written in 1919 *'' Sweethearts'' – musical, lyrics written for 1929 revival (also 1947 revival)

References

External links

* * 1875 births 1951 deaths American musical theatre lyricists American librettists Musicians from Chicago {{US-dramatist-stub