Sigmund Romberg is often considered to be the link between two musical worlds, the richly melodic operetta and the American stage musical. Born in Hungary, he emigrated to America in 1909 where he found work as a pianist and conductor at a bistro which became a steppingstone to a composing career in Tin Pan Alley and later Broadway. Romberg contributed songs to some 66 stage shows and 7 screen musicals. At the height of his career, two companies across the street from each other, performed Maytime simultaneously. During WWII, Romberg gave his time to entertain the American troops. The Student Prince Ballet Music was recorded only a few weeks from before his death in 1951.