The operetta The Merry Widow, authored by Franz Lehar, an Austro-Hungarian composer, is one of the most popular around the world. Her lyricism, cheerfulness, wit have always been highly appreciated by both the public and professionals. So, for example, it was praised by Sergei Rachmaninov, calling it a brilliant, magnificent thing. A summary of the opuletta The Merry Widow will be presented in the article.
General information
Before proceeding with the description of the content of the operetta The Merry Widow, we will write a few words about her. The operetta, consisting of three acts, was first staged in the capital of Austria, Vienna, at the An der Vin Theater. It happened in 1905, December 30th. The libretto was written by Leo Stein and Victor Leon. It is based on the comedy of Henri Méliak and Louis Halevy, French playwrights, entitled “The Embassy Attache”, written in 1862.
The operetta takes place in Paris in 1905. Critics have repeatedly noted virtuosity, the ease of intrigue of the play presented to the public. In it, they saw intimacy with such works as “The Parisian Life” by J. Offenbach and “The Bat” by I. Strauss. This also applies to the types of actors, and the whole appearance of the household salon comedy, which describes high-life.
However, in the operetta The Merry Widow, a serious interpretation of love relationships is given and there is an unlimited lyrical beginning. This work is considered as the pinnacle of the work of F. Lehar. It is characterized by delicate colors, light, airy orchestral music.
Characters
According to the plot of the operetta, many films were shot abroad, starting in 1918. In the Soviet Union, it was also filmed in 1984. Next, the main characters of the operetta “The Merry Widow” and the actors who played in the Soviet film will be indicated.
This is about:
- Ganne Glavari (this is the main role), a wealthy young millionaire, the widow of a banker, formerly the daughter of a miller. She was played by the famous opera singer Elena Obraztsova.
- Count Danila Danilovic (also the main role), secretary of the Embassy of Pontevedro in the French state. In the past he was a cavalry officer, and now for the sake of "state interests" he must marry a widow because of her millions. This role was played by the artist of opera and operetta Yuri Vedeneev.
- After Pontevedro, Baron Mirko Zeta, performed by Boris Ivanov.
- The wife of Baron Zeta, Valencienne (Svetlana Varguzova).
- French attache, Count Camille de Rossillon (Vladimir Bogachev).
- French diplomat Raoul de Saint-Brioche (Alexander Markelov).
- Viscount Cascade diplomat (Vyacheslav Shlyakhtov).
- Secretary of the Embassy Nekoshe (Alexander Lenkov).
- Advisor to the Embassy of Cromone (Yuri Katin-Yartsev).
- Elge, his wife (Nelly the Tilled).
- Bogdanovich, Consul of the Republic of Monteverdo (Leonid Yevtifiev).
The content of the operetta The Merry Widow: Act I
At the embassy of the Grand Duchy of Pontevedro, a ball is given in honor of the duke's name day. But the ambassador, Baron Zeta, is not fun, because the duchy is in danger of bankruptcy. If the rich widow Ganna Glavari becomes the wife of a foreigner, her 20 million will sail away from the country. But this amount is an essential part of national wealth.
The plans of Baron Zeta are to marry Count Gann Danilo, a famous heartthrob, secretary of the embassy. As a matter of fact, it was with the purpose of meeting them that a ball was started. Ganna is already here. She is surrounded by a crowd of men claiming her hand, heart and millions. Count Danilo is late, he is found in the restaurant "Maxim" and brought to the embassy. Here he calmly falls asleep, comfortably sitting on the couch.
Danilo wakes up with the appearance of Gann. Once they were not only familiar, but also in love with each other. However, the count’s family was against his marriage to a poor and noble girl. Danilo was sent to Paris, and Gann, offended, married the elderly rich man Glavari. Now Danilo was offended.
Now that the position of Gannah has changed, when many fans are bothering her, the proud count does not want to be among them. He avoids communication with the widow.
At this time, Valencienna, the wife of Zeta, indulges in flirting with the French attache, Count de Rossillon. She forbids the boyfriend to tell her about love. Then he decides to write her a confession on the fan, and somewhere she forgets this subject.
Operetta The Merry Widow: Table of Contents, Act II
A holiday is in full swing at the house of Gann Glavari. Guests dance national dances, the hostess sings. Baron Zeta finds a fan with words of love written on it. He is trying to guess who owns the fan. Taking away a compromising subject, Count Danilo recognizes the handwriting of Rossillon, but does not give it away. After that, the fan gets to Gann. She thinks that Danilo thus decided to tell her about his feelings.
Valenciennes and Camille retire in the pavilion. By chance they find themselves locked in it. Peering through the keyhole, the baron recognizes his wife and her admirer. He starts a sandalwood, but Valencienne manages to slip through the emergency exit, and Gann is in her place, saving the honor of her friend. They announce their engagement to Camille.
Last, Act III
Again the garden in the mansion of Gann Glavari. She reassures Count Danilo, telling him the whole truth about what happened in the pavilion. Wanting to spare his pride, which may be a hindrance to his recognition, the widow informs him of one of the conditions of the will made by her husband. If she remarries, she loses her fortune. After this news, Danilo immediately proposes to her. Then the merry widow adds that according to the same testament, all the money goes to her new spouse.
Curious fact
In conclusion of the consideration of the issue of the content of the operetta “The Merry Widow”, one of the amusing cases connected with its author can be given. The heyday of fame for Lehar and his operetta came in 1910. By this time she had already made a complete "revolution around the Earth." 18 thousand performances were given, which were held in ten languages of the world. Lehar had so many awards that they could not fit on a tailcoat. He even ordered their miniature copies. The composer was invited to London, where at that time there were three of his operettas. There he was greeted by King George the Fifth himself.
In the capital of Great Britain, an exhibition of ancient musical instruments was then working. One of the main exhibits on it was a flute from Ancient Egypt. To play it for Lehar, a specially trained flutist was invited.
Covering this event, a London newspaper wrote that the old flute poured out quiet, gentle, sad sounds, combined into a beautiful melody. This music made it possible to understand with what soft, melancholic tones the inhabitants of the banks of the Nile were heard thousands of years ago. The next day, the editors broke out a scandal. It was connected with the fact that a waltz from the “Merry Widow” was played before the Legar flute player.