Cole Porter was one of the most successful and influential American composers and lyricists of the 20th century. He wrote over 600 songs and musicals that have been recorded by some of the biggest names in music, including Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, and Frank Sinatra. His work has become an integral part of the American musical theatre canon, with many of his songs becoming standards.
Born in Peru, Indiana on June 9th, 1891, Porter was exposed to music at a young age. His grandfather was a prominent lawyer who owned a piano.
His mother was an accomplished pianist and she encouraged her son to take up piano lessons when he was six years old. Porter’s father was a wealthy businessman who also supported his son’s musical ambitions by paying for him to attend Yale University where he studied composition.
Porter began writing songs while at Yale and he soon found success on Broadway after moving to New York City in 1916. He wrote his first Broadway show in 1918 which featured the hit song “Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall In Love)” which would become one of his most popular songs. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s he wrote several other successful shows, including Anything Goes (1934) which is still popular today.
Porter’s music is known for its sophistication, wit and charm as well as its clever wordplay. He wrote both words and music for his work which allowed him to create unique melodies that could carry both the lyrical content as well as the mood of the song. His lyrics often contained veiled references to homosexuality which were not openly discussed at the time but were nonetheless appreciated by fans of all sexual orientations.
Cole Porter’s influence can be heard in modern musical theatre performers such as Stephen Sondheim and Andrew Lloyd Webber who are indebted to him for paving the way for them to create complex musical stories that explore themes like love, loss, identity and acceptance with wit and sophistication.
Overall Cole Porter is an important figure in musical theatre history because his unique style has stood the test of time and continues to inspire contemporary performers today. He created some of America’s most beloved standards that have been recorded by artists around the world for over 100 years.
Conclusion: Cole Porter is an important figure in musical theatre history due to his unique style that has stood the test of time and continues to be admired by generations today. His sophisticated yet witty lyrics combined with clever melodies allowed him to craft unforgettable works that have become part of America’s cultural fabric for over 100 years now. He paved a path for modern composers like Stephen Sondheim or Andrew Lloyd Webber whose work carries on his influence today.
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