Die Lustige Witwe (The Merry Widow) is an operetta by the Austro-Hungarian composer Franz Lehár. The librettists, Viktor Léon and Leo Stein, based the story–L'attaché d'ambassade (The Embassy Attaché) by Henri Meilhac. The operetta has enjoyed extraordinary international success since its 1905 premiere in Vienna and continues to be frequently revived and recorded.

 

 

In 1905, billionaire Glawari, a French banker, leaves his young wife Hanna (from Pontevedro) a legacy of 20 million francs after his death. To prevent it from flowing abroad, Count Danilo Danilovitch, the First Secretary of Pontevedro embassy in France, goes to court the dowager as ordered by his state, only to find she's his old flame. Danilo refuses that out of his dignity, but Hanna still loves him. Then according to the banker's will, Hanna voluntarily gives up her legacy, which makes Danilo respond to her love. During their wedding, as stipulated, the legacy is transferred to Danilo once more. In this way, the operetta has a happy ending.

 

 

 

Conductor: Thomas Rösner

Stage Director/Set Designer/Costume Designer: Hugo de Ana

Choreographer: Alessandra Panzavolta

Lighting Designer: Paolo Mazzon

Projection Designer: Sergio Metalli

Chorus Master: Jiao Miao

 

China NCPA Chorus

China NCPA Orchestra