The Prince of Pilsen is a musical comedy in two acts written by Frank Pixley and composed by Gustav Luders. It was first performed at the Tremont Theatre, Boston, in May 1902 and subsequently opened at the Broadway Theatre, New York, on 17 March 1903 where it ran for 147 performances.

Dramatis Personæ

MIDI Files

• Overture

ACT I   -   The water-front gardens of the International Hotel, Nice.

• No. 1 - Opening Chorus - "In days of old, the pirate bold ran up a flag of black, and sailed away in search of prey that came across his track. ..."
• No. 2 - Song - Artie and Girls - "In good old London town (in good old London town) society you know is most exclusive (exclusive). We're much inclined to frown..."
• No. 3 - Song - Mrs. Crocker and Girls - "In the sultry days of summer when the sun is blazing hot and life itself becomes a fearful bore, just leave your cares..."
• No. 4 - Entrance - François, Hans, Edith and Chorus - "We'll have a gala day.  Fate sends a prince this way;  each voice we'll raise to sing the praise..."
• No. 5 - Students' Entrance - "To fun and to folly no strangers are we, a student's life is jolly, a student's life is free;  no maid can resist us, no sweetheart will flee..."
• No. 6 - Stein Song - Prince and Students - "Better than riches of worldly wealth is a heart that's always jolly, beaming with happiness, hope and health..."
• No. 7 - Trio - Mrs. Crocker, Artie and Hans - "There's the weepy creepy widow always dressed in black whose dear departed husband had no fault..."
• No. 8 - Duet - Sidonie, François and Chorus - "A ladies' maid, as you'll all agree, should be the pink of propriety;  she studies the ways of society..."
• No. 9 - Song - Prince and Chorus - "I know no greater pleasure 'mid the trials that hedge my day than to light a good Havana and to smoke my cares away..."
• No. 10 - Finale Act I - "What means this loud alarm?  Someone has come to harm, someone we fear has come to harm.  What has happened, what's the matter..."

ACT II

• No. 11 - Opening Chorus - "Tally ho!  The horn of the master is calling, it says we must away.  Oh, list to the echoes enthralling, their voice we must obey..."
• No. 12 - Song - Hans - "A friend of mine went driving with a girl whom he admired, one ev'ning when the moon was shining bright;  but he soon got into trouble..."
• No. 13 - Song - Mrs. Crocker and Chorus - "Here's a girl from a town that's won renown for the Tammany tiger's capers; it's a beautiful spot but the news is so hot..."
• No. 14 - Song - Tom and Chorus - "The rose's lips are warm and red, and burning with desire;  her heart and soul are all a-flame with passion's glowing fire..."
• No. 15 - Song - Nellie, Prince and Chorus - "In days of long ago, a moonbeam loved a star, but how could he tell her so, so fair, but, ah! so far..."
• No. 16 - Duet - François and Sidonie - "We hold the winning cards,  let's seek the boulevards, where night is day and life is gay with love's rewards..."
• No. 17 - Flower Fête - "At last with hearts elate we end our floral fête.  No thoughts of care shall mar these golden hours on this festal day..."
• No. 18 - Song - Tom and Chorus - "When the call to arms resounds throughout the land, ev'ry Yankee tar is ready, heart and hand.  If there's fighting to be done..."
• No. 19 - Finale Act II - "She's the pretty city widow, she has learned a thing or two;  she's a frisky, risky creature, and she'd clink a glass with you..."

 MIDI files

External Links

Vocal Score at the Internet Archive

Musical of the Month: The Prince of Pilsen at New York Public Library

American Musical Theatre

Page modified 11 February 2017