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"Vagabond King" opens in London

The Vagabond King is a 1925 operetta by Rudolf Friml in four acts, with a book and lyrics by Brian Hooker and William H.

The Vagabond King is a 1925 operetta by Rudolf Friml in four acts, with a book and lyrics by Brian Hooker and William H. Post, based upon Justin Huntly McCarthy's 1901 romantic novel and play If I Were King. The story is a fictionalized episode in the life of the 15th-century poet and thief François Villon, centering on his wooing of Katherine De Vaucelles (the cousin of King Louis XI), and relating how he becomes “king for a day” and defends France against the invading forces of the Duke of Burgundy.

The original production opened on Broadway in 1925, starring Dennis King, and ran for 511 performances. The operetta then played in London, toured extensively and enjoyed revivals and two film adaptations, including one with King and Jeanette MacDonald.

Historical Significance

The Vagabond King is a 1925 operetta by Rudolf Friml in four acts, with a book and lyrics by Brian Hooker and William H.

Events Before

  1. A major flood on the Rhine River strikes Cologne

    Cologne is the fourth-most populous city of Germany and the largest city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia with nearly 1.1 million inhabitants in the city proper and over 3.1 million...

  2. American songwriter Irving Berlin (37) weds heiress and writer Ellin Mackay (23) in a simple civil ceremony in NYC, unti

    American songwriter Irving Berlin (37) weds heiress and writer Ellin Mackay (23) in a simple civil ceremony in NYC, until her death in 1988

  3. Abdulaziz Ibn Saud becomes King of Nejd and Hejaz, forerunner of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Abdulaziz Ibn Saud becomes King of Nejd and Hejaz, forerunner of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

  4. American comedian George Burns (28) weds American comedienne Gracie Allen (31), until her death in 1964

    American comedian George Burns (28) weds American comedienne Gracie Allen (31), until her death in 1964

  5. John Logie Baird gives the first public demonstration of television in his laboratory in London

    John Logie Baird gives the first public demonstration of television in his laboratory in London

Events After

  1. Algemeene Vereeniging Radio Omroep (AVRO) begins broadcasting in the Netherlands

    Algemeene Vereeniging Radio Omroep (AVRO) begins broadcasting in the Netherlands

  2. Paleoanthropologist Davidson Black reports his findings on the ancient human fossils found at Zhoukoudian, China, in the

    Paleoanthropologist Davidson Black reports his findings on the ancient human fossils found at Zhoukoudian, China, in the journal Nature and declares them to be a new species he names 'Sinanthropus pekinensis' (now known as 'Homo erectus')

  3. American actress Mary Astor (21) weds American film director Kenneth Hawks (30) at her family home "Moorcrest" in the Ho

    American actress Mary Astor (21) weds American film director Kenneth Hawks (30) at her family home "Moorcrest" in the Hollywood Hills, until his death in 1930

  4. Industrialist Oskar Schindler (19) weds Emilie Schindler (20) in Svitavy, Czech Republic

    Industrialist Oskar Schindler (19) weds Emilie Schindler (20) in Svitavy, Czech Republic

  5. RCA and GE install three test television sets in homes in Schenectady, New York, allowing trials of inventor E.F.W. Alex

    RCA and GE install three test television sets in homes in Schenectady, New York, allowing trials of inventor E.F.W. Alexanderson's first home television receiver; a poor and unsteady 1.5-square-inch picture is received from a radio transmitter

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on April 19, 1927?
The Vagabond King is a 1925 operetta by Rudolf Friml in four acts, with a book and lyrics by Brian Hooker and William H. Post, based upon Justin Huntly McCarthy's 1901 romantic novel and play If I Were King. The story is a fictionalized episode in the life of the 15th-century poet and thief François Villon, centering on his wooing of Katherine De Vaucelles (the cousin of King Louis XI), and relating how he becomes “king for a day” and defends France against the invading forces of the Duke of Burgundy.
Why is "Vagabond King" opens in London significant?
The Vagabond King is a 1925 operetta by Rudolf Friml in four acts, with a book and lyrics by Brian Hooker and William H.

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April 19 in HistoryYear 1927