Railroad Hour 50 04 10 (080) Naughty Marietta (afrs)

# The Railroad Hour: "Naughty Marietta"

Step into the gilded age of American operetta as *The Railroad Hour* presents Victor Herbert's beloved classic *Naughty Marietta*, a glittering tale of romance and intrigue set against the exotic backdrop of 1700s New Orleans. This AFRS broadcast captures the show's most enchanting moments with orchestral grandeur that only network radio could deliver—sweeping strings, soaring vocals, and the unmistakable charm of a love story that defies duty and danger. As a mysterious French countess disguised as a ship's boy falls for a dashing colonial officer, listeners will find themselves transported by the famous "Italian Street Song" and the tender "Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life," melodies that practically burst through your radio speaker with theatrical vitality. The drama builds with understated tension: Will their forbidden romance survive the revelation of her true identity? Will love triumph over the rigid social conventions of the era?

*The Railroad Hour*, which ran from 1948 to 1954 on ABC, was beloved for rescuing grand operetta from the concert hall and making it accessible to America's living rooms. Each week, host Gordon MacRae guided audiences through lavish musical productions, accompanied by full orchestras and professional theater singers. Victor Herbert's *Naughty Marietta*, first staged in 1910, was a perfect vehicle for the show's mission—to prove that operetta need not feel stuffy or remote, but could sparkle with genuine theatrical magic and emotional authenticity.

Don your finest evening wear and tune in for an evening of Gilded Age glamour and timeless romance. Whether you're a devoted operetta enthusiast or simply seeking an escape into a world of soaring melodies and star-crossed lovers, this *Railroad Hour* performance of *Naughty Marietta* promises an unforgettable hour of entertainment that speaks across the decades to something eternally human: the power of music and love.