The Merry Widow

Franz Lehár
The Merry Widow
Operetta in 2 acts
Libretto by Viktor Léon and Leo Stein
Premiere: 27 March 2025

“This story takes us into a luxurious world of revelry and intrigue, where the desires of the heart, ambitions and unexpected moments of humour intertwine. When life offers a second chance, is it possible to turn it down? The characters in the operetta—noble, charming and a little reckless—search for an answer to this question. The operetta weaves together themes of wealth, independence and the subtle interplay between love and society’s expectations. This production highlights how the world of high society can become a trap in which wealth and obligations begin to limit a person’s choices. The heroine, Hanna, a symbol of independence, uses her financial freedom to protect her private life despite society’s demands. This prompts us to consider whether wealth really brings freedom, or turns a person into a hostage. Full of romance, satire and striking visuals, this production of The Merry Widow offers a fresh interpretation that honours the charm of the original work while adding contemporary touches,” says the production’s director, Viktorija Streiča.

The premiere of F. Lehár’s operetta The Merry Widow took place in Vienna in 1905. It immediately became one of the most successful and most frequently staged operettas of all time. In its first years on stage, it conquered European theatres and captivated audiences at musical theatres across several continents. The Merry Widow has retained its charm for more than 120 years: an uncomplicated, delightfully intriguing plot; melodies that became world-famous hits and pour intoxicating violin sounds into the soul; passionate Hungarian dances—and the audience’s hearts are warmed!

The operetta tells the story of Hanna Glavari, a wealthy widow who arrives in Paris to enjoy herself. Her compatriots are worried: if the wealthy widow remarries, their small country’s “indebted” government will be left without its main source of capital. Count Danilo is tasked with marrying the wealthy widow and keeping her millions in the homeland. But it is not so simple, because Hanna and Danilo’s paths crossed once before… After a series of intrigues, comic situations and the other tangled quarrels between characters required by the operetta plot, love triumphs and “the homeland is saved.”