Opera Orlando presents Franz Lehár’s effervescent operetta The Merry Widow in an original production featuring dancers from the Orlando Ballet with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra in the pit led by conductor Noam Aviel. A star-studded cast is headlined by soprano Sarah Joy Miller who was recently featured in the HBO series The Gilded Age. She sings the title role, joined by Grammy award-winning baritone Gabriel Preisser as Count Danilo, baritone Andy Papas as Baron Zeta, and soprano Alexandra Kzeski as Valencienne. The Merry Widow offers up genuine old world glamour, rom-com hyjinks, catchy melodies, and even the can-can!
As the curtain rises, you will feel as if you are stepping into a grand, splendid celebration. Beautiful Hanna’s late husband has left her a very rich woman. In fact, she’s so rich that the economy of her homeland depends on her marrying a local — so the ambassador springs into action with the help of his wife (a former can-can girl) to find Hanna the right husband. But it’s a tricky affair because the wily widow already has someone in mind: Count Danilo, an old flame, who has no intention of giving up bachelorhood. He’s got a bevy of beauties delighted to keep him happy with no strings attached. Rendezvous are rampant. Complications abound. Hanna ultimately gets her man as Lehár’s unforgettable tunes and waltzes trip happily along.
Hanna Glawari | Sarah Joy Miller
Count Danilo Danilovitch | Gabriel Preisser
Baron Zeta | Andy Papas
Valencienne | Alexandra Kzeski
CONDUCTOR | Noam Aviel
STAGE DIRECTOR | Grant Preisser