An Afternoon at the Opera: "The Merry Widow"

Join us for An Afternoon at the Opera, a new film series celebrating the unforgettable productions of the Metropolitan Opera. Each screening will be introduced by local opera enthusiast Peter Eder, who will share insights and background to enrich your viewing experience. Settle in, savor the music, and enjoy world-class opera right here at the library.

Opera: Die Lustige Witwe (The Merry Widow)

Composer: Franz Lehar

Premiere: Theater An der Wien, Vienna, Austria, December 30,1905

First U.S. Performance: New Amsterdam Theater, New York City, October 21,1907

First Metropolitan Opera Performance: December 21, 2000

Performance Date of Recording: January 17, 2015

Conductor: Andrew Davis

Run Time: 2 hours and 28 minutes 

Synopsis

The entire plot of Die Lustige Witwe, a three-act operetta, involves the baron of a tiny country (Pontevedro) intriguing to reunite two embittered lovers, the court ambassador and a recently divorced heir to a large fortune to save the country from bankruptcy.

The composer Franz Lehar (1870-1948) was a leader in composing operettas, shorter less ambitious musical works that contain much spoken dialogue and captivating dance music.

Immediately following its Vienna premiere in December 1905, it became globally acclaimed as evidenced by its first U.S. performance in New York City less than two years later.

This Production

The operetta was performed on January 17, 2015, one in the series of Met Opera on Demand telecasts. The conductor was Sir Andrew Davis (1944-2024), the more than twenty seasons conductor of the Lyric Opera of Chicago.  Performed in English, the leading singers included the opera soprano Renee Fleming, and Kelli O’Hara, the actress known for her work on Broadway stages.  The opera was directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman.

It is noteworthy that The Merry Widow is the only operetta in the collection of Hi Definition  opera broadcasts.