11/4/2023 0 Comments Lehar operettaWhile Franz Lehar easily managed to win over audiences who were carried away by the rhythm of a dreamlike world as light as a dream, his originality and musical know-how carried “The Merry Widow” to the greatest opera stages where the most illustrious stars performed it. People went wild for the apparent flightiness of a super-rich widow seeking true love. Belle Époque France immediately waxed enthusiastic over the hesitations of Danilo, the elegant diplomat who frequents Maxim’s. Between its creation in Vienna in 1905 until its arrival in Paris four years later, the work was performed triumphantly 20,000 times all over the world! Staged in Paris in 1909 with the composer in attendance, the French adaptation by Robert de Flers and Gastyon de Vaillavert was so popular it outshone the original German version. Petersburg, from Berlin to London by way of New York. As in Johann Strauss’s operettas, the waltz is the heart of this three-act work that has played all around the world, from Milan to St. The public was immediately captivated by the melodic richness of the score, which offers many catchy tunes that can be hummed with pleasure, like the famous “Song of Vilja”, the “pavilion duet” and the “Merry Widow Waltz”. Reflecting the splendour of Imperial Vienna with its whirlwind of sumptuous parties and décor, the operetta stands out for the elegance and colour of an orchestration of symphonic scale. Or order online at Box office opens at noon: 84.The Merry Widow is one of the gems of Viennese operetta its dazzling success made Franz Lehar heir to Johann Strauss II. Adults, $20 OLLI members, $18 Students, $10. Andrew Davis will conduct.Īll seats are general admission. The singers: Co-starring with Renee Fleming as Hanna will be Nathan Gunn as Danilo and Kelli O’Hara as Valencienne. And finally, a beautiful duet for Hanna and Danilo, “Love unspoken, faith unbroken,” leading to Lehar’s most memorable tune of all-time, the “Merry Widow waltz.” Hanna’s bewitching folk ballad in act two – “Villias, the spirit maids who haunt our woods” – is a golden moment for any soprano, and thus perfectly suited for Ms. In the first, Danilo, frustrated by his embassy job, looks forward to the day’s end: “Then I go to Maxim’s where I am very much at home.” It’s only shortcoming is that it is too short. The music is so familiar that audiences tend to take the score for granted, seduced by those ever-fresh tunes.” Each of the three acts features a memorable gem. Peter Davis, author of “The American Opera Singer,” writes that “No composer wrote lilting melodies more frequently than Lehar. In 1934, it became a popular movie starring Jeanette MacDonald and Maurice Chevalier, and in 1975, it was debuted as a ballet in Australia. Often called ‘The Queen of Operettas’, Lehar’s romantic comedy had its premiere in Vienna in 1905, enjoying rapid international success. And third, it will be sung and spoken in English – and without any German subtitles! Second, the title role will be sung by Renee Fleming, who is generally considered to be the finest lyric soprano in today’s world of opera. Here are a few good reasons to buy a ticket – perhaps a pair – for Saturday’s performance of “The Merry Widow.” First, it is generally considered to be the finest operetta ever composed. LIVE IN HD AT THE USCB CENTER FOR THE ARTS
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