Robert Wright (musical writer)

For the television writer, see Rob Wright (writer).
Robert Wright
Birth nameRobert Craig Wright
Born(1914-09-25)September 25, 1914
Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S.
DiedJuly 27, 2005(2005-07-27) (aged 90)
Miami, Florida, U.S.
GenresMusical theatre
Occupation(s)Songwriter, lyricist

Robert Craig Wright (September 25, 1914 – July 27, 2005) was an American composer-lyricist for Hollywood and the musical theatre, best known for the Broadway musical and musical film Kismet, for which he and his professional and romantic partner George Forrest adapted themes by Alexander Borodin and added lyrics. Kismet was one of several Wright and Forrest creations that was commissioned by impresario Edwin Lester for the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera. Song of Norway, Gypsy Lady, Magdalena, and their adaptation of The Great Waltz were also commissioned by Lester for the LACLO. The LACLO passed most of these productions to Broadway.

Wright was born in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States.[1] Wright and Forrest had an affinity for adapting classical music themes and adding lyrics to these themes for Hollywood and the Broadway musical stage. Wright said that the music was usually a 50-50 "collaboration" between Wright and Forrest and the composer.[1] While both men were credited equally as composer-lyricists, it was Forrest who worked with the music. Forrest and Wright won a Tony Award for their work on Kismet and, in 1995, they were awarded the ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers Award.[2]

He was cremated at Cofer-Kolski-Combs mortuary, Miami, and his ashes given to his executor.[3]

  1. ^ a b Colin Larkin, ed. (2002). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Fifties Music (Third ed.). Virgin Books. pp. 509/10. ISBN 1-85227-937-0.
  2. ^ Robert Hanley (October 12, 1999). "George Forrest, 84, Songwriter For Broadway, Films and Clubs". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012.
  3. ^ Wilson, Scott. Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed.: 2 (Kindle Locations 52054-52055). McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. Kindle Edition.