Harbach, Otto

Harbach, Otto (b. Otto Abels Hauerbach)

(1873–1963) librettist, lyricist; born in Salt Lake City, Utah. Educated at Knox College, he taught English and worked as a journalist and advertising copywriter. He made his Broadway debut as lyricist for Three Twins (1908) and went on to write musicals with composers such as Karl Hoschns and Rudolf Friml in the next decade. After 1920 some of his best work was in collaboration with Oscar Hammerstein II, libretti and lyrics for such shows as Rose Marie (1924). He also contributed to No, No, Nanette (1925). Among his most popular songs are "Indian Love Call" (1924) and "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" (1932).