Composer

:

Franz Lehár

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Operetta

First Performance

:

1905

Average_duration

:

80:20

Movement_count

:

36

Movement ....

The Merry Widow is an operetta composed by Franz Lehár, with a libretto by Viktor Léon and Leo Stein. It premiered on December 30, 1905, at the Theater an der Wien in Vienna, Austria. The operetta is set in Paris in the early 20th century and tells the story of a wealthy widow, Hanna Glawari, who is courted by several men who are interested in her fortune. The plot revolves around the efforts of the Pontevedrian ambassador, Baron Zeta, to prevent Hanna from marrying a foreigner and taking her fortune out of the country. He enlists the help of Count Danilo Danilovich, a former lover of Hanna's, to woo her and keep her fortune in Pontevedro. However, Danilo is reluctant to do so because he believes that Hanna is only interested in him for his money. Despite their initial reluctance, Hanna and Danilo eventually fall in love and are reunited. The operetta ends with a grand ball, where Hanna and Danilo are finally able to declare their love for each other. The Merry Widow is known for its catchy tunes and lively dance numbers, including the famous "Vilja Song" and the "Merry Widow Waltz." The operetta was a huge success when it premiered and has since become one of the most popular operettas of all time. The Merry Widow is composed of three acts and is written in a light, comic style. The music is characterized by its use of waltzes, polkas, and other dance rhythms, as well as its catchy melodies and lush orchestration. The operetta has been adapted for film and television numerous times, and its popularity has endured for over a century. Today, it is still performed regularly in opera houses and theaters around the world, and its music remains beloved by audiences of all ages.

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