Yoel L. Arbeitman asks:

>Totally agreed.  But why, Robert, do you mention Kalman?  I have always
>heard the Lehar was der Fuehrer's favorite.

I did some internet research and I found this URL

   http://www.revolve.com.au/polemic/race.html

where I read:

   "Emmerich Kalman was a composer of many successful Viennese
   operettas of the 1920s and early 1930s.  Despite being Jewish,
   Kalman was encouraged by the Nazi regime to remain in Austria,
   an event mentioned in program notes provided by The Australian
   Opera to accompany their 1987 production of his best known work,
   Countess Maritza.  As recalled by his daughter, Yvonne Kalman
   (a Sydney resident), a General of the Third Reich offered Kalman
   a 'strange privilege'.  The offer was made under the personal
   direction of Hitler, who was 'an ardent lover of Emmerich Kalman's
   music'.  Hitler wanted him to remain in Vienna as an 'honourary
   Aryan', his Jewish background forgotten.  When Kalman asked how
   this could be guaranteed, the General replied: 'I guarantee it
   with my life' to which Kalman replied: 'But who can guarantee
   your life?'"

I sell this as expensive as I bought it.

Robert