Otto Harbach
Otto Abels Harbach, born Otto Abels Hauerbach on August 18, 1873, in Salt Lake City, Utah, was a prominent American lyricist and librettist known for his work on nearly 50 musical comedies and operettas. He was the son of Danish immigrants who originally bore the surname Christiansen before adopting the name Hauerbach. Harbach pursued education at the Salt Lake Collegiate Institute and Knox College in Illinois, where he graduated in 1895 and became friends with poet Carl Sandburg.
Initially, Harbach embarked on a career in academia, teaching English and public speaking at Whitman College in Washington and beginning graduate studies at Columbia University. However, financial constraints and eye difficulties led him to shift careers, working as a newspaper reporter, copywriter, and journalist.
Harbach's foray into the world of musical theater began in 1902 when he partnered with composer Karl Hoschna. Their collaboration led to the Broadway show "Three Twins" in 1908, which included the hit song "Cuddle Up A Little Closer, Lovey Mine." Harbach went on to collaborate with renowned composers such as Jerome Kern, Louis Hirsch, and George Gershwin. His notable works include the lyrics for "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" and "Indian Love Call."
As a mentor to Oscar Hammerstein II, Harbach played a crucial role in shaping the future of American musical theater by advocating for the integration of music, lyrics, and story. Otto Harbach passed away on January 24, 1963, in New York City, leaving behind a legacy as one of Broadway's first great lyricists.
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