THE
FLORENTINE OPERA PRESENTS
THE MERRY WIDOW
by Franz Lehár
"It was a Talented, Spirited Performance, with Grand
Sets, and Plenty of Drama.." SJC
THE MERRY WIDOW
by Franz Lehár
"It was a Talented, Spirited Performance, with Grand
Sets, and Plenty of Drama.." SJC
review by Ed Vincent
An Operetta, a sung performance with a fair amount of spoken dialogue, and
loaded with double entendres, and puns. It is a fun tale, and has been so
since its creation, at least thousands of years before the "The Merry Widow"
was even in someones mind.
This performance was done entirely in English, translations by Ted and Deena
Puffer. It is one thing to follow along an abbreviated script translation from
a sung lyric, and quite another to project a fast discussion of speakers. The
end result would be a scrolling high speed news reader with no time left to
watch the stage. The translation was a nice job and end result a hit.
Soprano Diane Alexander as Hanna Glawari does a wonderful job of bringing
the story to life and shines like a bright star in the second act where her
rendition of the “Vilja Lied” surrounded by costumed dancers and wonderful
choreography was truly top notch. Her dramatic partner in this tale of fencing
love is the handsome Baritone Philip Cutlip as the womanizer Count Danilo.
The entire cast is well chosen and their are no faults in this glamorous
production. The event reminded me of a mix of Midsummer Night's Dream
and the Student Prince, but with a much better finale. Congratulations to a
show well done for all at the Florentine.
LIGHTHEARTED,
LILTING AND LOVELY:
THE FLORENTINE OPERA PRESENTS
(Milwaukee, Wis.)…. The Florentine Opera Company’s 2007-08 season captures three faces of opera–melody, drama,
and pathos–in a perfect blending of plot and passion, acting and arias. “Our season promises to provide the full scale of the grand opera experience. The season begins as the Florentine presents one of the world’s best-loved operettas, Franz Lehár’s The Merry Widow. This charming production will set the tone for a season filled with unparalleled artistry and powerful performances,” remarks William Florescu, General Director.
The Merry Widow tells the tale of a beautiful young widow, Hanna Glawari, who also happens to be rich with an overwhelming inheritance. Hanna could be the answer to a bankrupt country—if she falls in love with the right man. However, the road to love is never easy, and Hanna’s beauty and fortune set the stage for a classic love triangle that spins like a Viennese waltz with a splash of Paris thrown in. As this opulent production dances its way to the perfect conclusion, Hanna learns that the rekindling of an old love may be just what she, and her country, needs. Staged with lavish sets and
sung in English with English translations projected above the stage, The Merry Widow will twirl and dip you on a journey
of romantic intrigue and delicious deception.
The Florentine’s sumptuous production will feature Diane Alexander, the leading national interpreter of the title role. Tenor Jonathan Boyd, who recently received critical acclaim in the Florentine Opera’s 2006 production of Don Giovanni, will also return to the Florentine Stage. With an all-star cast and superb direction, The Merry Widow is sure to delight audiences
with a perfect mix of romance and excitement.
Visit www.florentineopera.org for more information on
The Merry Widow.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The Merry Widow by Franz Lehár
(English Version by Ted and Deena Puffer)
Friday, November 16, 2007 @ 7:30 PM
Saturday, November 17, 2007 @ 7:30 PM
Sunday, November 18, 2007 @ 2:30 PM
All performances are held in Uihlein Hall at the Marcus Center for the
Performing Arts, 929 North Water Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
CAST:
Stage Director / Albert Sherman
Conductor / Mark Flint
TICKETS / SEASON SUBSCRTIPION INFORMATION:
Subscriptions to the Florentine Opera’s 2007-2008 season range in price from $54 to $376. Single tickets start at just $25. For more information on ordering your tickets, visit www.florentineopera.org or call 414-291-5700 ext. 224. To request a season brochure, email info@florentineopera.org or call 414-291-5700.
TO LEARN MORE:
Visit the Florentine Opera Company online at www.florentineopera.org
THE FLORENTINE OPERA PRESENTS
THE MERRY WIDOW
Friday, November 16, 2007 @ 7:30 PM
Saturday, November 17, 2007 @ 7:30 PM
Sunday, November 18, 2007 @ 2:30 PM
Friday, November 16, 2007 @ 7:30 PM
Saturday, November 17, 2007 @ 7:30 PM
Sunday, November 18, 2007 @ 2:30 PM
(Milwaukee, Wis.)…. The Florentine Opera Company’s 2007-08 season captures three faces of opera–melody, drama,
and pathos–in a perfect blending of plot and passion, acting and arias. “Our season promises to provide the full scale of the grand opera experience. The season begins as the Florentine presents one of the world’s best-loved operettas, Franz Lehár’s The Merry Widow. This charming production will set the tone for a season filled with unparalleled artistry and powerful performances,” remarks William Florescu, General Director.
The Merry Widow tells the tale of a beautiful young widow, Hanna Glawari, who also happens to be rich with an overwhelming inheritance. Hanna could be the answer to a bankrupt country—if she falls in love with the right man. However, the road to love is never easy, and Hanna’s beauty and fortune set the stage for a classic love triangle that spins like a Viennese waltz with a splash of Paris thrown in. As this opulent production dances its way to the perfect conclusion, Hanna learns that the rekindling of an old love may be just what she, and her country, needs. Staged with lavish sets and
sung in English with English translations projected above the stage, The Merry Widow will twirl and dip you on a journey
of romantic intrigue and delicious deception.
The Florentine’s sumptuous production will feature Diane Alexander, the leading national interpreter of the title role. Tenor Jonathan Boyd, who recently received critical acclaim in the Florentine Opera’s 2006 production of Don Giovanni, will also return to the Florentine Stage. With an all-star cast and superb direction, The Merry Widow is sure to delight audiences
with a perfect mix of romance and excitement.
Visit www.florentineopera.org for more information on
The Merry Widow.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The Merry Widow by Franz Lehár
(English Version by Ted and Deena Puffer)
Friday, November 16, 2007 @ 7:30 PM
Saturday, November 17, 2007 @ 7:30 PM
Sunday, November 18, 2007 @ 2:30 PM
All performances are held in Uihlein Hall at the Marcus Center for the
Performing Arts, 929 North Water Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
CAST:
Stage Director / Albert Sherman
Conductor / Mark Flint
Hanna Glawari /
Diane Alexander
Danilo / Philip Cutlip
Camille / Jonathan Boyd
Valencienne / Heather Buck
Baron Zeta / Matthew Lau
Njegus / Ryan Allen
Cascada / Mark Andrew Baker
St. Brioche / John Pickle
Danilo / Philip Cutlip
Camille / Jonathan Boyd
Valencienne / Heather Buck
Baron Zeta / Matthew Lau
Njegus / Ryan Allen
Cascada / Mark Andrew Baker
St. Brioche / John Pickle
TICKETS / SEASON SUBSCRTIPION INFORMATION:
Subscriptions to the Florentine Opera’s 2007-2008 season range in price from $54 to $376. Single tickets start at just $25. For more information on ordering your tickets, visit www.florentineopera.org or call 414-291-5700 ext. 224. To request a season brochure, email info@florentineopera.org or call 414-291-5700.
TO LEARN MORE:
Visit the Florentine Opera Company online at www.florentineopera.org
Marcus Center for the Performing Arts
929 N. Water St., Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
http://www.florentineopera.org/ |
Directions from Chicago
290 (Eisenhower)
West to 294
North Toll road (Wisconsin)
94 North to Wisconsin
then 794
East to Downtown
Milwaukee. The
road forks
and you go to the left, North.
The road turns away
from the
lake and you are now of the
Expressway.
Proceed west
until Water Street. Turn right,
North, on Water Street
and go
several blocks north until
you reach the Marcus
Center for the Performing Arts
929 N. Water
Street. Parking
is across the street and
connected by an above
ground
crosswalk.
