A stranger in paradise

By Klaus Döring

The familiar melody of “Stranger in Paradise” originally came from a segment of the opera Prince Igor called “Polovtsian Dances, Gliding Dance of the Maidens.” The composer, Alexander Borodin, was a doctor and chemist who worked for nearly 20 years on the opera and left it incomplete when he died in 1887.

Borodin’s melody was incorporated into the 1953 musical Kismet by Robert Wright and George Forrest for the song “Stranger in Paradise,” along with another memorable song, “And This Is My Beloved.” The Kismet composers acknowledged their adaptation, and Borodin was awarded a Tony Award in 1954 along with Wright and Forrest.

Like almost all the music in that show, the melody was adapted from music composed by Alexander Borodin (1833 – 1887), in this case, “Gliding Dance of the Maidens,” from the “Polovtsian Dances” in the opera Prince Igor (1890).

To tell you the truth, I almost wasn’t going to bother writing this post.

You know a good idea when it hits you. If it’s a truly great idea, you should feel a multitude of emotions: fear mixed with excitement, anxiety mixed with relief. There will probably be some physical signs: a quickening of the pulse, an intake of breath, and, of course, a rush of euphoria, that great “a-ha!” moment. If you’re ready for it and have the courage, then it’s time to grab the idea and follow it.

These musings aren’t wholly my own; what is truly original thought, anyhow? Elizabeth Gilbert writes similarly in Big Magic, her “self-help” book, which is a must-read for creative types. Luckily, I happen to be rereading that book right now, which is how I knew to be ready for the idea.

It helps me so much. Nowadays, I have been residing in the Philippines for almost 26 years with an awesome Philippine family. The “a-ha!” moment arrived very early. I indeed became a stranger in paradise. But the emphasis is rather on “paradise.” Thank you, Lord.

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Email: doringklaus@gmail.com or follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn, or X (formerly Twitter), or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com.