Ham·mer·stein  (hām'ər-stīn', -stēn')  German-born American operatic manager who founded opera houses in Harlem (1888) and Manhattan (1906). His grandson Oscar Hammerstein II (1895-1960), a lyricist, collaborated on many musicals and is best known for his efforts with Richard Rodgers, such as Oklahoma! (1943) and The Sound of Music (1959). |