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H. B. Farnie

Henry Brougham Farnie (8 April 1836 – 21 September 1889), often called H. B. Farnie, was a British librettist and adapter of French operettas and an author. Some of his English-language versions of operettas became record-setting hits on the London stage of the 1870s and 1880s, strongly competing with the Gilbert and Sullivan operas being played at the same time.

After attending Cambridge University, Farnie returned to his native Scotland, where he was appointed editor of the Cupar Gazette. In 1857, he wrote The Golfer's Manual, the first book on golf instruction. In 1860, he wrote books on the flora of St Andrews and on The City of St. Rule. His journalism career brought him to London in 1863 as editor of a new musical journal, The Orchestra. He began to write the lyrics to popular songs, and, in 1867, he began to write plays. During the 1870s and 1880s, Farnie turned out translations and adaptations of dozens of French operas and operettas. Many of the latter had long and successful runs. Among his few enduring lyrics is the "Gendarmes' Duet", adapted from Offenbach's Geneviève de Brabant.

Birth and Death Data: Born April 8, 1836 (Burntisland), Died September 21, 1889

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1900 - 1924

Roles Represented in DAHR: lyricist, composer

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Berliner 01260 7-in. 4/27/1900 The torpedo and the whale Original Lyric Trio Mixed vocal trio lyricist  
Victor [Pre-matrix A-]104 7-in. 6/15/1900 The torpedo and the whale Lyric Trio Mixed vocal trio lyricist  
Victor [Pre-matrix B-]104 10-in. 11/7/1901 The torpedo and the whale Lyric Trio Mixed vocal trio lyricist  
Victor C-9534 12-in. 10/11/1910 Gems from Olivette Victor Light Opera Company Vocal chorus and soloists, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor C-18030 12-in. 6/28/1916 Songs of the past, no. 20 Victor Mixed Chorus Vocal chorus and soloists, with orchestra lyricist, composer  
Victor B-29333 10-in. 1/21/1924 Medley waltz The Troubadours Jazz/dance band composer  
Columbia 77681 10-in. 2/21/1918 The torpedo and the whale Columbia Stellar Quartette Male vocal quartet, with orchestra lyricist  
Columbia 37370 12-in. ca. 1915 Olivette Columbia Light Opera Company Mixed vocal chorus and soloists, with orchestra lyricist  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Farnie, H. B.," accessed March 28, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103839.

Farnie, H. B.. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 28, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103839.

"Farnie, H. B.." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 28 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103839

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