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Premiere of the Merry Widow”: A firework display of emotions in Schwerin!
On June 27, 2025, “The Merry Widow” will celebrate its premiere at the Schlossfestspiele in Schwerin. Experience Franz Lehár's timeless operetta in the theater tent on Lake Schwerin.
Premiere of the Merry Widow”: A firework display of emotions in Schwerin!
On June 27, 2025, Franz Lehár's operetta “The Merry Widow” will celebrate its premiere at the Schlossfestspiele in Schwerin. This popular performance, which revolves around themes such as true love, female empowerment and the pursuit of money, is directed by veteran director Andrea Schwalbach. Visitors will experience high art in the theater tent on Lake Schwerin, where ballet, choir and soloists enliven the stage. The fact that this operetta still shines even after almost 120 years is reflected in the topicality of the topics it deals with, which are still very popular.
“The Merry Widow” is based on a libretto by Victor Léon and Leo Stein and is an adaptation of a comedy by Henri Meilhac. The focus of the story is the rich widow Hanna Glawari, who is swarmed by numerous men at the Pontevedrin embassy ball, not least because of her wealth. In a twist, her former lover, Count Danilo, is hired to marry her in order to save the troubled country of Pontevedro. But Danilo doesn't want to be content with the money - the lively intrigue unfolds when Hanna only wants to marry him if he confesses to her "I love you", which he himself has sworn never to say.
Modern production with a breath of fresh air
Director Andrea Schwalbach creates the performance with a lot of energy and a dynamic approach. The main roles include Cornelia Zink as Hanna Glawari and Martin Gerke as Count Danilo. Gerke brings a breath of fresh air, as he had no previous experience with operetta, but expressed the desire to modernize some terms and tempos. This proved challenging, but the lively production promises to captivate the audience.
The appeal of the operetta lies, among other things, in its unforgettable melodies, such as the famous Vilja song, “Lippen Silent” and “Da ich go ins Maxim”. These songs, which have now achieved cult status, underline the importance of the main character, who embodies a self-confident woman - a characteristic that elevates “The Merry Widow” to a high point in dance operetta.
A masterpiece by Franz Lehár
Franz Lehár, born on April 30, 1870 in Komaron, Hungary, is one of the founders of the Silver Viennese operetta era with “The Merry Widow” from 1905. His work is in demand not only in Austria but also internationally. In addition to his classic operettas, which are appreciated for their melodious beauties, Lehár has also created other important works such as “The Count of Luxembourg” and “Gypsy Love”. A monument in Bad Ischl commemorates his years of service to music and theater.
The performances of “The Merry Widow” as part of the Schwerin Castle Festival run until August 3, 2025 and promise a nostalgic but also future-oriented experience for music lovers.
For more information about the performance and the program, those interested can visit the official pages NDR, Visit [Schwerin](https://www. Schwerin.m-vp.de/schlossfestspiele-Schwerin-2025-die-freudee-witwe/) and Operetten-Lexikon.