I absolutely love this piece and am thrilled that Opera on the James is producing it this season. It was one of my mother's favorite operettas. My sister Mary and I used to dress up and give what we thought were magnificent (no doubt endless) Merry Widow Waltz shows. I owe Mama thanks for many things - including making the arts part of my life AND her amazing patience!
The Merry Widow is pure fun - truly romantic comedy at its best - played out to what I think is Lehar's best score. If you haven't listened lately, it's full of music you'll think -"Oh, that's where it's from!" The characters and snappy dialogue remind me of great old movies with Kathryn Hepburn and Cary Grant - sharp, funny but fully human and deserving of a happy ending.
Warning from personal experience when I played the CD just this morning: cheek strain possible from smiling for a couple of hours straight!
Cecelia Schieve
