Herbert Kretzmer

Herbert Kretzmer

Herbert Kretzmer, OBE, was an English journalist and lyricist. He was best known as the lyricist for the English-language musical adaptation of Les Misérables. He also wrote the lyrics for Anthony Newley’s musical film Can Hieronymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness. He died in London in 2009.

About Herbert Kretzmer in brief

Summary Herbert KretzmerHerbert Kretzmer, OBE, was an English journalist and lyricist. He was best known as the lyricist for the English-language musical adaptation of Les Misérables and for his long-time collaboration writing the lyrics to the songs of French songwriter Charles Aznavour. He also wrote the lyrics for Anthony Newley’s musical film Can Hieronymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness. He won an Ivor Novello Award for the Peter Sellers and Sophia Loren comedy hit \”Goodness Gracious Me\”, co-composed with David Lee.

He wrote the book and lyrics of the West End musical, Our Man Crichton, composed by David Lee and based on J M Barrie’s satirical play The Admirable Crichon. For his work on Les Misérables lyrics, KRetzmer received Tony and Grammy awards. He died in London in 2009. He is survived by his wife, two children and a step-granddaughter. His last project was a musical based on Swedish epic Moberg’s Moberga. The show was part of a Kent Season at the Haymarket Theatre before moving to a season in Japan.