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2.6.6Operetta and Music Hall Theatre
Origins
The Industrial Revolution began in the latter half of the 18th Century and dramatically transformed European and North American society. Decade after decade, people migrated from the countryside to work in urban factories and foundries.
Workers demanded more and better entertainment than simply congregating in ale houses and singing traditional songs. By the mid-1800s, music halls were meeting that demand with a variety of entertainment for the working masses.
Breakout
Some musicians became professional songwriters, furnishing music hall entertainers with new songs. This marked the beginning of the modern popular music industry.
Other varieties of music hall entertainment included operetta (in both Europe and North America) and cabaret (mainly Germany and France).