THE MERRY WIDOW - FRANZ LEHAR

 

Operetta in three acts, composed by Franz Lehar. The remarkable interpretation of the Count Danilo, carried out by Régis Mengus, led him to stage the operas of Reims (October / 2012), Nice (September / 2014) and Lausanne (December / 2014).

 

Act 1

            

Hanna Glawari, after the death of her husband, becomes heir to twenty million francs. The Baron Zeta want to ensure that she will marry another citizen of the Grand Duchy of Pontevedro (MAINTAINING) his fortune in the country. His chosen one to save the country from bankruptcy is the Count Danilo, because before were in love with each other, however Danilo's uncle interrupted the romance because Hanna was a very poor young lady.

           

Danilo refuses to give in to demands of the Baron, for getting married to the owner of a huge heritage in order to keep his wealth in the country, it hurts him the honor. But undertakes to eliminate any applicants who are not citizens, "pontevedrianos".
 

They are all at the French embassy, celebrating the birthday of the sovereign, and the choice of couples to dance the waltz is about to begin. All men move around Hanna.

             

Danilo gathers some young people to claim the dance with the hopeful suitors. Hanna chooses him, he refuses, putting the dance up for sale by ten thousand francs, which will be donated to charity, eliminating the other suitors. After the dropout of others, Danilo attempts to dance with Hanna, who irritated with the auction, it refuses his invitation to. Unconcernedly, Danilo begins to waltz by himself, breaking her resistance.

 

Act 2

           

After a comical confusion caused by a fan with a declaration of love written, Hanna, to save the reputation of Valencienne, Baron Zeta's wife, announces his marriage to Camille, attaché of the French embassy. The news upsets Zeta, by the possibility of losing the millions invested in Pontevedra. Valenciennes is saddened by the Camille's departure...    

           

Danilo becomes enraged to Hanna's joy before the general despair, realizing that his anger with the engagement, is a sign he still loves her.

 

Act 3

                 

Danilo asks Hanna to give up to marry Camille, for the good of the country. She confesses that she has not made any commitment, but was protecting the honor of a married woman. Danilo, about to declare his love, holds up, for fear of being misunderstood, because of Hanna money.

              

Zeta recognize the Valencienne's fan and swears to divorce to marry the widow. Hanna says would lose his entire fortune if she marries again, and he gives up. Hearing this,  Danilo confesses his love and asks her to marry.  Hanna concludes telling him she will lose a wealth just because she will belong to her new husband. Valencienne opens the fan and shows that replied to Camille's declaration of love: "I am a respectable wife, 'and she reconciles with the Baron.