News

At long last, we open the most exciting aspect of Shop VHSource – The Victor Herbert Operetta Shop. Here you can purchase an entire original operetta; rent an entire original operetta; or rent a VHRP LIVE! version of a full operetta – your choice – your budget – your approach to the material.

Note: If you desire to do a complete Herbert operetta with piano or small combo only, you need only purchase a copy of the original libretto and the original piano/vocal score, located elsewhere in Shop VHSource. The only exception to this at this time is the Mott libretto for Naughty Marietta and all VHRP LIVE! versions. This section is solely for the purpose of obtaining sets including the full orchestration.

Just as with the major licensing organizations, you will be asked to submit a contract which will detail the aspects of your performances (i.e., # of perfs with dates, venue, # of seats, ticket prices, etc.) as well as the aspects of your organization (i.e., school, community, non-union professional, union profession, production budget range) and contact information. You will find this contract in pdf form at the bottom of each operetta page. It must be filled out in its entirety and returned for a pricing quote. Once you have agreed to the quote, you sign and return your contract, Shop VHSource will execute the contract and send you an invoice for payment either by company check (slow) or by credit card (instantaneous). Upon full payment, materials will be delivered to you by e-mail for your immediate use. You may print out as little or as much as you need. If you are renting the materials, the steps you need to take following your performances are detailed in your contract.

All the materials offered here have been computerized and performed by at least one and often several different organizations.

Each original operetta offered will supply you with the following digital materials:

1. Rehearsal Piano/Vocal
2. A libretto
3. A full set of orchestral parts (clean and unbowed)

Note: With regards to full scores. Where such documents are available, they may be rented or purchased for a separate fee. Because of their size and weight they are not included in the normal rental/purchase price and must be delivered as hard copy by normal shipping procedures. These full scores are a luxury never before available to any organization doing a Herbert operetta and therefore are not really “must have” items. Cost range for full scores is usually between $150 and $500 for purchase and $100-300 for rental with appropriate shipping costs.

You may rent the materials or purchase the materials for your own library. Each of these offerings are in the Public Domain, and therefore you may rewrite the librettos, and pick and choose from the score in any way which fits your organization’s needs. Should any libretto be offered for a full original show which has been newly copyrighted – such libretto will be available as a choice and the contract will cover that copyrighted materials.

If you are selecting a VHRP LIVE! Version of an operetta, you will receive the following:

1. Conductor piano/vocal script and cues included
2. Rehearsal piano/vocal
3. Libretto
4. Orchestral parts (bowed and all cuts marked)
5. Chorus piano/vocal and script

NOTE: With regards to full scores for copyrighted VHRP LIVE! versions, there are no full scores available which match the concert versions. If you wish a full score, you need to purchase or rent an entire full score for the same operetta.

Each operetta listing will provide you with a contract for download, brief synopsis, # of principals needed with voice needs, chorus and orchestra breakdown.

Welcome and hearty Congratulations to a brand new Victor Herbert Operetta Company — The Great Lakes Operetta Company, based in Chicago Illinois! They open their first season with a very neglected Herbert one act opera, The Magic Knight. They will return after Intermission with some of the most beloved Herbert songs.

Performances are Friday, November 8 at 7:30pm; Saturday, November 9th at 4:30pm and 7pm; and Sunday, November 10 at pm. Performances will be held at the elegant Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oakbrook, IL. Ticket prices range from $15 to $32. You can purchase tickets through their website: greatlakesoperetta.com or at the door.

VHSource LLC is always thrilled to welcome a new company to the Herbert family. The Company opens life by producing opera and a parody (think spoof) at that. This little one act opera is very dear to our hearts as it was originally a fun part of the second act of Dream City and the Magic Knight created in 1906. Lots of back story and intrigue surround the entire work but the Magic Knight stands alone quite well. Herbert loved to parody famous European composers. This time it just happens to be Wagner and his famous Lohengrin. By the way, you can purchase the piano score to this little work as well as it’s home Dream City down below. Just type “Dream City” into the search window and both will come up.

If you reside anywhere near this area, come enjoy a rare opening night!

Have a fabulous time!

This upcoming holiday season, VHSource will spotlight the amazing work, “Royal Sec, A Champagne Gallop”. Think the “Waiters’ Gallop” in Hello Dolly. However, “Royal Sec” was composed by Herbert pre-1886 in Stuttgart, Germany, as a class exercise. The “Waiters’ Gallop” was composed by Jerry Herman for Broadway in 1964. That’s a 78 year difference and light years away culturally.

The freshness of the Herbert work will thrill your audiences. It’s the perfect piece to play to urge crowds back to their seats. It lasts long enough to get everyone seated once more and just short enough to prepare listeners for the wonderful offerings you have chosen for the second half of the concert. It’s also perfect for New Year’s Eve Galas.

We welcome this wonderful new site with a great discount for those wishing to give “Royal Sec” a try. Normal price is $50.00. To celebrate this new website, take $10 off now through December 31, 2022 and live a little.

As always, Herbert materials are in the Public Domain, so you are purchasing a perfect addition to your music library. All Royal Sec materials are stand ready, but also will enlarge well on your photocopier. You get Herbert’s own original orchestrations as he created them, in new wonderfully restored score and parts, in this case courtesy of the North Carolina Symphony Orchestra.

Check out the number of works by Victor Herbert. You have just scratched the surface. We’ll keep adding them a few each month. Some you’ll know and some you’ll never have heard of. That is the joy of Victor Herbert, the foundation of the American Theatrical Composing World.