Richard Traubner


Richard Traubner was an American journalist, author, operetta scholar and historian, and lecturer on theatre and film. His best-known book, Operetta: A Theatrical History, was first published in 1983.
According to Opera News, "Traubner was universally regarded as the foremost expert on operetta in the U.S." He reviewed numerous opera and theatre productions and wrote widely on opera, musical theatre, classical music and film. He also wrote reviews, liner and program notes and participated in theatre productions as translator, director and designer.

Biography

Traubner was the son of Muriel and Edward Traubner. He attended Boston University, where he was president of the B. U. Savoyards. He received his Ph.D. from New York University. From 1971 to 1977, he was the editor of The Palace Peeper, the newsletter of the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of New York.
His book on the history of operetta was first published in 1983 and won the 17th annual ASCAP-Deems Taylor Award. According to MusicWeb International, Traubner's book is "One of the best reference books of the Musical Theatre.... Apart from 's The British Musical Theatre and Musicals, there is no better book than this to dip into for acquiring a perspective on shows or the activity surrounding a particular production. Of especial interest... is the valuable detail Traubner gives about composers' backgrounds, training and career structure.... Traubner... writes in an easy style". John Kenrick calls the book "The ultimate love letter to operetta, with superb scholarship throughout." The book "is still the definitive work on the subject". American Record Guide calls it "the standard work on the subject". The Gramophone wrote:
Traubner wrote widely about opera, musical theatre, film and classical music, as well as reviewing and numerous opera and theatre productions, as a frequent contributor to Opera News, The New York Times, The Economist, American Record Guide and many other publications. He frequently provided notes for recordings and operetta productions. He translated into English, directed and designed sets for many European operettas in the U.S. In 2000 and 2001, he was the designer in residence at Ohio Light Opera and designed and translated numerous productions for them, directing some. He also designed for Harrisburg Opera in Pennsylvania.
Traubner lived in New York City. He was married to Andrea Traubner nee Schuster since 1971, and had a sister, Carol Epstein. He died of ALS at age 66.

Works