Introduction to Les Misérables
The late Herbert Kretzmer, who wrote the English libretto for Les Misérables, felt that he did not receive enough recognition for rewriting the French texts for the award-winning English-language version. According to recently unearthed letters, Kretzmer referred to "unpleasant measures that others took to belittle my contribution and my contribution".
Kretzmer’s Contribution to Les Misérables
Kretzmer expressed his dismay at being viewed as a translator of the original French song text, rather than receiving full recognition for the significant changes and additions he made to the most famous moments and songs of the musical. He wrote: "I think it will clarify the matters when I spell out for the first time, and I hope only the straight and verifiable facts about the authorship of the English version of Les Misérables." Kretzmer claimed that the English version of Les Misérables was not only rewritten or translated by his efforts, but a new show was born.
The English Version of Les Misérables
The English version of the musical runs more than an hour longer than the French counterpart. Kretzmer completely restored and rewritten the English version to the point where between his texts and the 1980 version designed in Paris, there is practically a new, rewritten show. Dr. Liz Savage, assistant for special collections at Cambridge University Library, helped cataloging the Les Misérables sections of the archive and found changes in Kretzmer’s second draft of the musical, including the word "together" in "Angry" in the song "Do you hear people sing".
The Archive and Kretzmer’s Legacy
The archive reveals how Kretzmer tried other words, including "Valiant" and "Fearless" before deciding on the version that was popular today. The Kretzmer archive was donated to Cambridge University Library after the copywriter died in 2020 at the age of 95. The material was shared to mark Kretzmer’s hundredth birthday. The collection also contained letters from Frank Sinatra and Peter Sellers as well as photos of Stanley Kubrick. Kretzmer’s widow Sybil said: "The prestige of the University of Cambridge reflects the effects and influence of Herbert’s work, and we know that the archive is preserved from the library and lives for generations, just like Les Misérables itself."
The Musical’s History and Impact
Les Misérables was adapted in 1981 from Victor Hugo’s French novel for a French stage show. The English-language version was opened in London in 1985 and is the longest-running musical in the West End. The show celebrates its 40th anniversary on October 8th. Kretzmer worked in collaboration with his French authors Alain Boubil and Claude-Michel Schönberg. The show was performed more than 15,000 times in London and was converted into an Oscar-winning film in 2012 with Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway. Kretzmer won an Ivor Novello Award for the comedy hit Godness Gracy Me, performed by Sophia Loren and Peter Sellers, and contributed texts to the legendary TV show of the 1960s That Was the Week That Was.
