High School
Worksheets
The Sound of Their Music: Biography of Rodgers and Hammerstein
Caption: Richard Rogers (on left) with Oscar Hammerstein
Richard Rodgers was born in 1902 and died on December 30, 1979. Oscar Hammerstein II was born in 1895 and died in 1960. Considered the "most consistently fruitful and successful partnerships in American musical theater," the duo of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein blessed the world with entertaining music. If you've ever seen a Broadway musical, chances are you've heard some of their work. They had a major impact on the music of America. Their music and writing partnership has been called the greatest of the 20th century.
Before partnering with Hammerstein, Rodgers first worked with Lorenz Hart. However, Hart developed a problem with alcohol, and Rodgers approached Hammerstein about forming a partnership. When Hart was unavailable to work on Oklahoma!, Rodgers and Hammerstein officially began working together. Hammerstein would first write lyrics, and then Rodgers would then write music.
