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Paul A. Rubens

Paul Alfred Rubens (29 April 1875 – 5 February 1917) was an English songwriter and librettist who wrote some of the most popular Edwardian musical comedies of the early twentieth century. He contributed to the success of dozens of musicals.

Born in Kensington, London, he attended Winchester College before studying law at University College, Oxford. He began writing songs for shows at the age of 10 and had his first major success with "The Little Chinchilla" for the hit musical The Shop Girl when he was 19 years old. This was soon followed by songs for, among others, the hit musical San Toy. In 1899, he wrote songs for the international hit Florodora, which brought him wider fame. Producer George Edwardes hired him as an "additional material" writer for, among others, The Messenger Boy (1900), The Toreador (1901), A Country Girl (1902), The Girl from Kays (1902), The School Girl (1903), The Cingalee (1904) and The Blue Moon (1905), writing some of the most successful songs in these shows. He composed the hit musical Miss Hook of Holland (1907).

Later compositions include The Balkan Princess (1910), The Sunshine Girl (1912), The Girl from Utah (1913), Tonight's the Night (1914), Betty (1915) and The Happy Day (1916). Rubens began a relationship with the actress Phyllis Dare during this period, but they soon parted due to Rubens' severe consumptive illness, from which he suffered for the rest of his life. As a result, he retired to Cornwall and died of tuberculosis, aged 41.

Birth and Death Data: Born April 29, 1875 (London), Died February 5, 1917 (Falmouth)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1903 - 1929

Roles Represented in DAHR: composer, lyricist, songwriter

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

Recordings (Results 51-63 of 63 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia 28918 10-in. approximately 1914 Valse Regt. Band of H. M. Scots Guards ; Frederick. W. Wood Band composer  
Edison 493 Not documented approximately Dec. 1910 I'd like you in velvet Maurice Farkoa Tenor vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist, composer  
Edison 3253 10-in. between 8/221914 and 8/31/1914 Only to you Helen Clark Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist, composer  
Edison 3259 10-in. Aug. 1914 or later Waltz hesitation National Promenade Band Band composer  
Edison 3301 10-in. between 9/16/1914 and 9/17/1914 The music of love Marie De Kyser ; Reed Miller Vocal duet (soprano and tenor), with orchestra composer  
Edison 3434 10-in. Nov. 1914 Your king and country want you Helen Clark Soprano vocal solo and vocal ensemble, with orchestra composer, lyricist  
Edison 3565 10-in. 2/5/1915 I'm a millionaire Joseph A. Phillips Baritone vocal solo and mixed vocal quartet, with orchestra lyricist, composer  
Edison 3580 10-in. 2/12/1915 Please don't flirt with me Helen Clark ; Joseph A. Phillips Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra composer, lyricist  
Edison 3581 10-in. 2/12/1915 The only way Albert Farrington Male vocal solo and female vocal quartet, with orchestra lyricist, composer  
Edison 3662 10-in. 3/25/1915 The only way Albert Farrington Male vocal solo and female vocal quartet, with orchestra lyricist, composer  
Edison 3671 10-in. 3/29/1915 Please don't flirt with me Helen Clark ; Joseph A. Phillips Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra composer, lyricist  
Edison 4059 10-in. 8/20/1915 Knitting Helen Clark Female vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist, composer  
Edison 5082 10-in. 10/20/1916 Dance with me Irving Kaufman ; Gladys Rice Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
(Results 51-63 of 63 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Rubens, Paul A.," accessed April 25, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/104031.

Rubens, Paul A.. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 25, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/104031.

"Rubens, Paul A.." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 25 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/104031

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