Glyndebourne: Léhar: The Merry Widow

The Merry Widow by Franz Lehár in a new version by Stephen Plaice and Marcia Bellamy based on the original libretto by Victor Léon and Leo Stein.

With its intoxicating waltzes, Parisian glamour, and timeless romantic intrigue, The Merry Widow stands as one of the most enduring works of the operetta repertoire. In this vibrant new production, Glyndebourne presents a visually opulent and theatrically exuberant staging of Franz Lehár’s masterpiece, offering a fresh and contemporary perspective on a story shaped by love, money, honour, and national identity.

Set between Parisian high society and the fictional Balkan state of Pontevedro, the opera follows the wealthy widow Hanna Glawari and her former lover Danilo Danilovitsch, whose unresolved past is entangled with political intrigue and social ambition. Personal desire collides with diplomatic duty as misunderstandings, disguises, and flirtations unfold into a glittering comedy of manners, driven by Lehár’s irresistible waltzes and lyrical elegance.

Director Cal McCrystal brings his trademark physical comedy and theatrical imagination to this new English version, creating a production that balances classic operetta charm with modern comic energy. Opulent design, dynamic choreography, and a sparkling musical interpretation under John Wilson, with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, shape a performance that is both tradition-conscious and boldly contemporary—capturing The Merry Widow as a living, breathing stage work for today’s international audiences.

Genre Operetta
Recording location Glyndebourne Festival
Production year 2024
Video format HD
Duration 150'
Production Company Maestro Broadcasting
TV Director Rhodri Huw
Distribution TV EuroArts Music International
Distribution VOD / SVOD EuroArts Music International
English title of music work Franz Lehár: The Merry Widow. Operetta in three acts, libretto by Victor Léon and Leo Stein (New English version by Stephen Plaice and Marcia Bellamy)
Orchestra / Band London Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor John Wilson
Choir The Glyndebourne Chorus
Chorus Master Aidan Oliver
Stage Director Cal McCrystal
Choreography by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille
Soloists Alex Otterburn, Thomas Allen, Innocent Masuku, Michael Wallace, Soraya Mafi, Michael McDermott, Tom Edden, Adam Marsden, John Mackenzie-Lavansch, Danielle de Niese, Melissa Gregory, Emily Hodkinson, Rachel Taylor, Germán Olvera