Alice in Orchestralia facts for kids

Alice in Orchestralia is a children's book from 1925. It was written by an American composer and radio producer named Ernest La Prade (1889–1969). The story is about a girl named Alice who goes to a symphony concert. She finds a magical way into a land called Orchestralia through a tuba's bell. In Orchestralia, musical instruments come to life. A bass viol becomes her guide. He introduces her to many different animated instruments.

About the Book

The book Alice in Orchestralia was first published in 1925. It was re-released in 1934 with a new title: Alice in Orchestra Land.

Ernest La Prade also wrote a sequel to the book in 1929. This second book was called Marching Notes. Later, in 1952, a British version of Marching Notes was published. It was given the title Alice in Music Land.

The Radio Show

Alice in Orchestralia was also the name of a radio show. This show was broadcast on NBC radio during the 1930s. It aired on Friday afternoons.

The Record Album

The story of Alice in Orchestralia was also made into a dramatization. This means it was turned into a play with voices and music. It was released as an album of three 78 rpm records. These records were put out by the Rexford Corp. of New York. The album was called Records of Knowledge (ROK-20).

The music for the record album was composed by Don Gillis. Ernest La Prade, who wrote the book, conducted the Rexford Symphony for the recording. The people who voiced the characters included Gene Hamilton as the narrator and Celia Rotelle as Alice. Leonard Fabian played the bass viol, and Robert Weil was the saxophone. Ann Gerry voiced Alice's mother.

The album cover stated that it was produced and directed by Nanette Guilford. She was a famous Metropolitan Opera Star. The exact date the album was released is not known. However, it was likely in the 1930s or early 1940s.