Franz Lehár
The Merry Widow
(Die lustige Witwe)
Operetta in 2 acts
Premiere 2025, March 27th
Running time 3 hours
Director VIKTORIJA STREIČA
Musical Director and Conductor JONAS JANULEVIČIUS
Costume and make-up designer JUOZAS STATKEVIČIUS
Set Designer VAIDOTAS JAKUTIS
Conductor OKSANA MADARASH
Choirmaster RASA VAITKEVIČIŪTĖ
Choreographer VALERIJ OSADČENKO
Lighting Designer MONIKA ŠERSTABOJEVAITE
Assistant Conductor MANTAS JANČIAUSKAS
The Merry Widow (German: Die lustige Witwe is an operetta by the composer Franz Lehar. The librettists Viktor Leon and Leo Stein based the story – concerning a rich widow, and her countrymen’s attempt to keep her money in the principality by finding her the right husband – on an 1861 comedy play, L’attaché d’ambassade (The Embassy Attaché) by Henry Meilhac.
The operetta has enjoyed extraordinary international success since its 1905 premiere in Vienna and continues to be frequently revived and recorded. Film and other adaptations have also been made. Well-known music from the score includes the „Vilja Song“, „You’ll Find Me at Maxim’s”), and the “Merry Widow Waltz”.
