Lirik Writer Les Miserables Feels His Contribution Was Disbursed

Les Miserables (Wikipedia)

JAKARTA - Herbert Kretzmer, the figure behind the English version of the lyrics for the colossal musical Les Misérables, apparently once felt his contribution was less recognized. His relic letters reveal the internal chaos of the lyricist who feels his services in 'born back' the show was reduced by other parties.

This was revealed after an archive belonging to Kretzmer, who died in 2020 at the age of 95, was donated to the Cambridge University Library.

A letter that Kretzmer sent to theater producer Cameron Mackintosh in 1987. He alluded to the unpleasant actions taken by other parties to undermine my credit and my contribution.

According to a BBC report, in the letter, Kretzmer felt the need to clarify his role clearly.

"I think this will clarify the problem if I describe it. For the first time and I hope the only, direct and verifiable facts about writing the English version of Les Miserrables," Kretzmer wrote, quoted Friday, October 3.

He then explained arguments that corroborated his claim. According to him, not many parties have the opportunity to compare his version with Paris' original libretto.

"Therefore, allow me, as short as possible, to show evidence stating that in terms of the actual lyrics that are now sung every night in New York and London, very few can be called translations," he said.

Kretzmer insisted that Les Miserables in the English version, was almost a new rewritten show.

He even described his work as a myriad of materials that were conceptualized and rewritten in total so that there were no more substantial similarities between my lyrics and the 1980 Paris model.

With a tone of regret, he closed his letter with a strong emphasis on confessions that felt lacking.

"I'm sorry this letter had to be written down, but given the unpleasant actions taken by other parties to undermine my credit and my contribution, I must emphasize that Les Misérables is not a show that translates or rewrites, but a show that is reborn," he concluded.