Henry Blossom

Henry Martyn Blossom, Jr. (May 10, 1866 – March 23, 1919) was an American writer, playwright, novelist, opera librettist, and lyricist. He first gained wide attention for his second novel, Checkers: A Hard Luck Story (1896), which was successfully adapted by Blossom into a 1903 Broadway play, Checkers. It was Blossom's first stage work and his first critical success in the theatre. The play in turn was adapted by others creatives into two silent films, one in 1913 and the other in 1919, and the play was the basis for the 1920 Broadway musical Honey Girl. Checkers was soon followed by Blossom's first critical success as a lyricist, the comic opera The Yankee Consul (1903), on which he collaborated with fellow Saint Louis resident and composer Alfred G. Robyn. This work was also adapted into a silent film in 1921. He later collaborated with Robyn again; writing the book and lyrics for their 1912 musical All for the Ladies.

Blossom had a lengthy and fruitful partnership as a librettist for the operetta composer Victor Herbert. He began his collaboration with Herbert with Mlle. Modiste (1905). This was followed by several other operettas, of which the best known are Mlle. Modiste (1905), The Red Mill (1906), The Princess Pat (1915), and Eileen (1917). For the 1916 musical The Century Girl, both he and Herbert collaborated with composer Irving Berlin. He also collaborated with Herbert on the musicals The Only Girl (1914) and The Velvet Lady (1919). The latter work premiered shortly before Blossom's death in 1919 and marked their final collaboration. Several of their works have been adapted into films.

Blossom also wrote the lyrics and books for Broadway musicals made with composers Leslie Stuart, Raymond Hubbell, and Zoel Parenteau. He was also involved with several shows that failed to reach Broadway.

Birth and Death Data: Born May 10, 1866 (St. Louis), Died March 23, 1919 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1904 - 1950

Roles Represented in DAHR: lyricist

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

Recordings (Results 1-25 of 100 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor B-1098 10-in. 3/10/1904 My San Domingo maid Harry Macdonough Male vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor B-1110 10-in. 3/14/1904 Yankee consul : Selection Arthur Pryor's Orchestra Orchestra lyricist  
Victor B-1158 10-in. 3/23/1904 Ain't it funny what a difference just a few hours make Billy Murray Male vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor C-1158 12-in. 10/11/1904 Ain't it funny what a difference just a few hours make Billy Murray Male vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor B-1212 10-in. 4/13/1904 Cupid has found my heart Corinne Morgan Female vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor C-1212 12-in. 4/13/1904 Cupid has found my heart Corinne Morgan Female vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor B-1726 10-in. 10/4/1904 In the days of old Harry Macdonough Male vocal solo lyricist  
Victor C-3125 12-in. 2/20/1906 I want what I want when I want it Frank C. Stanley Male vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor B-3871 10-in. 10/11/1906 Because you're you Florence Hinkle ; Harry Macdonough Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor B-3903 10-in. 10/16/1906 Just because you're you Harry Macdonough ; Elise Stevenson Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor E-4044 8-in. 11/14/1906 Good-a-bye John Collins and Harlan Male vocal duet, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor E-4093 8-in. 12/10/1906 Whistle it! Ada Jones ; Frank Kernell [i.e., Samuel H. Dudley] ; Billy Murray Mixed vocal trio, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor B-4093 10-in. 12/13/1906 Whistle it! Ada Jones ; Frank Kernell [i.e., Samuel H. Dudley] ; Billy Murray Mixed vocal trio, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor B-4182 10-in. 1/21/1907 Because you're you Harry Macdonough ; Elise Stevenson Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor B-6852 10-in. 3/3/1909 A soldier's love Lucy Isabelle Marsh Female vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor C-8983 12-in. 5/23/1910 Gems from The red mill Victor Light Opera Company Vocal chorus and soloists, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor C-9025 12-in. 5/25/1910 Gems from Mlle. Modiste Victor Light Opera Company Vocal chorus and soloists, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor B-10047 10-in. 3/14/1911 Something always happens when it shouldn't Henry Allan Price Male vocal solo, with piano lyricist  
Victor B-10510 10-in. 6/6/1911 The chase Lucy Isabelle Marsh Female vocal solo and chorus, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor B-12819 10-in. 1/21/1913 I'd like a little girl like you Marguerite Dunlap ; Harry Macdonough Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor B-15443 10-in. 11/30/1914 When you're wearing the ball and chain Billy Murray Male vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor B-15468 10-in. 12/7/1914 When you're away! Olive Kline Female vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor B-16577 10-in. 9/30/1915 For better or for worse Elsie Baker ; Olive Kline Female vocal duet, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor B-16578 10-in. 9/30/1915 Love is the best of all Olive Kline Female vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor B-16582 10-in. 10/1/1915 Neapolitan love song Reinald Werrenrath Male vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
(Results 1-25 of 100 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Blossom, Henry," accessed April 19, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109508.

Blossom, Henry. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 19, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109508.

"Blossom, Henry." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 19 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109508

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