description Eileen Overview
Eileen is an American operetta with music by Victor Herbert and a book and lyrics by Henry Blossom. It opened on Broadway in 1917 and is set in eighteenth-century Ireland, where its romantic story unfolds amid political conflict and rebellion. The work combines spoken dialogue with Herbert's theatrical songs and ensembles, placing an Irish historical setting within the conventions of early twentieth-century American operetta.
help Eileen FAQ
What is Eileen about?
Set in Ireland in 1798, it follows Eileen and Irish revolutionaries caught in conflict with British authorities. Eileen helps her sweetheart escape arrest by disguising him as a servant ([Eileen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eileen_%28opera%29)).
Who wrote Eileen?
Victor Herbert wrote the music, and Henry Blossom wrote the book and lyrics. The three-act comic opera is loosely connected to Samuel Lover's 1835 novel Rory O'More ([Eileen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eileen_%28opera%29)).
Why was Eileen first called Hearts of Erin?
The production used that title for two performances in Cleveland on January 1 and 2, 1917. It was retitled Eileen before moving through Boston and opening at Broadway's Shubert Theatre on March 19, 1917 ([Eileen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eileen_%28opera%29)).
Is Eileen a purely romantic operetta?
No. Its love story is set against smuggling and the 1798 Irish rebellion, with Shaun Dhu leading a band that includes Barry O'Day. That political setting gives it more conflict than a simple drawing-room romance ([Eileen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eileen_%28opera%29)).
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