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| The Merry Widow |
There are some productions that stay with you for a lifetime. For me,
The Merry Widow is one of them.
The first time I experienced Franz Lehár's much-loved operetta was around fifty years ago at the Albury Civic Theatre. As the curtain rose at the Sydney Opera House on Opera Australia's lavish new production, memories of that earlier performance came flooding back. Yet this spectacular staging proved that The Merry Widow remains as fresh, entertaining and enchanting today as it was half a century ago.
Presented in three acts, separated by two intervals, this dazzling production combined glorious music, sumptuous costumes, elegant dancing and plenty of comedy, making it one of the most enjoyable evenings I have spent at the theatre.
An Operetta That Combines the Best of Opera and Musical Theatre
If you have never experienced an operetta, The Merry Widow is the perfect introduction.
To me, an operetta sits comfortably between opera and musical theatre. It retains the magnificent vocal performances and orchestral richness of opera while adding spoken dialogue, lighter comedy and an engaging storyline that feels much like a Broadway musical.
Perhaps the biggest difference is that, unlike many operas, no one dies at the end!
Instead, audiences leave smiling after an evening filled with romance, mistaken identities, clever humour and memorable melodies.
A Delightful Story Set in the Roaring Twenties
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| The Merry Widow |
Although originally written in the early twentieth century, this production is stylishly set in Paris during the glamorous Roaring Twenties.
The story centres on the wealthy widow Hanna Glawari, whose fortune has attracted a host of eager suitors. Her homeland desperately wants her to marry fellow countryman Count Danilo Danilovich to prevent her wealth from leaving the country.
Danilo, however, refuses to court Hanna because of their complicated romantic past, while Hanna is determined not to reveal her true feelings too easily.
As the three acts unfold, misunderstandings, jealous lovers, secret romances and humorous deceptions create an entertaining series of twists and turns before true love finally triumphs.
The witty dialogue and comic situations frequently reminded me of the delightful humour found in the works of Gilbert and Sullivan, where clever misunderstandings and colourful characters keep audiences laughing while the story steadily builds towards its satisfying conclusion.
A Feast for the Eyes
Visually, this production was simply breathtaking.
Set designer Michael Scott-Mitchell created three magnificent settings that perfectly captured the elegance and glamour of 1920s Paris. Each act revealed a completely different world, showcasing lavish Art Deco influences, sophisticated interiors and magnificent architectural detail that transported the audience back to one of Europe's most glamorous eras.
The production sparkled from beginning to end.
Damien Cooper's lighting design beautifully enhanced every scene, subtly changing mood and atmosphere while highlighting the stunning stage pictures created by the performers.
Equally impressive were the exquisite costumes, designed by Jennifer Irwin, with elegant satin gowns, sparkling evening wear, military uniforms and fashionable Roaring Twenties attire filling the stage with colour, glamour and sophistication. Every costume added another layer of visual richness to an already spectacular production.
Outstanding Performances from an Exceptional Cast
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| The Merry Widow |
Opera Australia's principal cast delivered performances of the highest calibre, combining magnificent singing with convincing acting and impeccable comic timing.
Soprano Julie Lea Goodwin was captivating as the wealthy widow Hanna Glawari, bringing elegance, warmth and charm to the central role. Her beautiful rendition of the famous aria "Vilja" was one of the evening's musical highlights and received enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Alexander Lewis was superb as the charismatic Count Danilo Danilovich, Hanna's former love whose pride prevents him from openly declaring his feelings. His confident stage presence and effortless humour made him a thoroughly engaging leading man.
During the first interval I overheard someone remark that Alexander Lewis reminded them of actor Hugh Grant. Once that thought had been planted in my mind, I found myself seeing flashes of Hugh Grant's familiar mannerisms throughout the remaining two acts, which added another layer of enjoyment to his already entertaining performance.
The romantic subplot was equally delightful. Alexandra Flood impressed as Valencienne, the young wife of Baron Zeta who becomes entangled in an amusing flirtation with the charming Frenchman Camille de Rosillon, portrayed with style and fine lyric singing by John Longmuir.
Completing the principal cast, David Whitney brought excellent comic authority to the role of the pompous Baron Mirko Zeta, the long-suffering ambassador determined to keep Hanna's fortune within their homeland while remaining blissfully unaware of the romantic complications unfolding around him.
Supporting roles, including Benjamin Rasheed playing Njegus, the witty embassy secretary, added further humour to the production, while the Opera Australia Chorus and the Opera Australia Dancers filled the stage with energy, elegance and vitality throughout the performance. Choreographed by Graeme Murphy, the dancers dazzled in a series of graceful waltzes, lively marches, energetic gallops, colourful polonaises and spectacular cancans that perfectly complemented Franz Lehár's glorious score.
The entire principal cast brought warmth and personality to their roles, making every character believable while maintaining the light-hearted spirit that has made The Merry Widow one of the world's most popular operettas.
Music, Dance and Spectacle in Perfect Harmony
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| The Merry Widow |
One of the great strengths of this production is the seamless integration of music and dance.
Under the baton of conductor Vanessa Scammell, the Opera Australia Orchestra performed Franz Lehár's magnificent score with elegance, warmth and precision. Among the many memorable musical highlights was the famous song "Vilja", one of the most recognisable melodies ever written for the stage. It is one of those enchanting tunes that, once heard, stays with you long after the final curtain falls. I found myself humming its beautiful melody as I left the Sydney Opera House, and it continued to play over and over in my mind for the rest of the evening – a testament to Lehár's extraordinary gift for composing unforgettable music.
The audience was also treated to a wonderful variety of musical styles, including graceful waltzes, stirring marches, energetic gallops, colourful polonaises and the famous cancan sequences that brought bursts of excitement and laughter to the stage.
The Opera Australia Chorus added wonderful richness to the production, while the Opera Australia Dancers, choreographed by Graeme Murphy, brought extraordinary energy and movement to every scene.
Watching the beautifully costumed performers move gracefully through Michael Scott-Mitchell's elaborate sets created an ever-changing series of stunning stage pictures. Every entrance, every dance and every ensemble sequence contributed to what can only be described as visual splendour.
The Genius of Franz Lehár
The Merry Widow was composed by Austrian-Hungarian composer Franz Lehár and premiered in Vienna in 1905.
It quickly became one of the most successful operettas ever written, enchanting audiences around the world with its memorable melodies, elegant orchestration and timeless story of love, humour and second chances.
More than a century later, its enduring popularity is easy to understand. The music remains instantly
appealing while the comedy and romance continue to charm audiences of every generation.
An Evening to Remember
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| Sydney Opera House |
Leaving the Sydney Opera House, I reflected on how special it had been to revisit a production that had first captivated me fifty years earlier in Albury.
Opera Australia's The Merry Widow is a glittering celebration of music, dance, comedy and theatrical craftsmanship. From its magnificent Art Deco-inspired sets and luxurious costumes to its outstanding cast, lively choreography and glorious orchestral performance, every element combined to create an unforgettable evening.
Whether you are a lifelong opera enthusiast or someone attending an operetta for the very first time, The Merry Widow offers a wonderfully entertaining experience that proves great theatre never goes out of style.
The Merry Widow
Website: https://opera.org.au/productions/the-merry-widow-sydney/
Opera Australia Website: https://opera.org.au
Sydney Opera House Website: https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com
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