The Merry Widow is Franz Lehar’s comic masterpiece opera, played out in a stream of memorable melodies including the familiar Vilja Song and Merry Widow Waltz.
With a truly glamourous setting, Lehar’s operetta centres on the relationship between the dazzling and wealthy young widow Hanna and Danilo, who has an appetite for wine and women. As this delightful tale of a woman’s quest for love unfolds, their burgeoning romance is hampered by mishap, intrigue and comedic misadventure.
Making their ENO debuts with Lehar’s classic are Director Max Webster (The Lorax) and sought-after Estonian conductor Kritiina Poska.
As the vivacious Hanna, ENO favourite Sarah Tynan returns for her second major appearance of the season. She is joined by Nathan Gunn as Danilo, while ENO legend Andrew Shore plays the pompous Zeta.
The Merry Widow is sung in English, with surtitles above the stage. English lyrics are by Richard Thomas, and book by April de Angelis.