'The Merry Widow' in Narrowsburg
NARROWSBURG — Franz Lehar's operetta "The Merry Widow" has been performed as a ballet and a film (1934), and its best television production aired in 1977 on PBS starring Beverly Sills in the leading role.
Why so popular? It is an engaging story!
The Baron Zeta, ambassador to Paris from Marsovia, must see that the wealthy widow Hanna Glawari marries a Marsovian, thus keeping her fortune in the country, which is nearly bankrupt. He and his wife host a ball in her honor, and he orders Count Danilo Danilowitsch to woo her. But it seems that years ago the count was her suitor when she was a mere commoner. His family would not allow them to wed. Now that their social class is no obstacle, their pride is. She wants to hear him admit his love for her and he does not want her money.