1877
The Wonderful Doctor
Artist/maker unknownIn addition to spawning characters in opera, the bravado of itinerant quacks also inspired themes for popular music. On the cover of this eight-page annual almanac of fashionable tunes are printed the lyrics of a comic song, "Le Docteur Mirifique." The title character is pictured above proclaiming the exemplary virtues of his product from his chariot. The printed verses include a two-line chorus-"D'zing! boum! boum! D'zing! malatapoum!"-that perfectly captures the tinny syncopated rhythms of the tune banged out by a musician seated on top of the cab.
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