Love conquers all in University Opera’s ‘Widow’

Does being rich make us easier to love? Well, wealth certainly makes us more attractive to suitors. But are their intentions true, or are they only gold diggers interested in marrying a fortune? This is the dilemma posed in Franz Lehar’s lively operetta “The Merry Widow,” which returns to the stage in Music Hall after 25 years with University Opera.

The much-loved tale is of a wealthy widow struggling to find love among a throng of suitors in Paris at the end of the 19th century. The operetta has show-stopping arias, tender waltzes, hummable melodies, vivacious cancan dancers and (spoiler alert) a happy ending.

The show premiered in 1905 and became a world hit, going on to be produced in every city that made any claim to having a theater-going public. There was a bit of widow-mania surrounding the operetta, too, with associated merchandise such as sheet music, songbooks, clothing and even a signature cocktail.

According to “Gold and Silver: The Life and Times of Franz Lehar,” Bernard Grun estimates that “The Merry Widow” was performed about half a million times in its first 60 years. Worldwide sales of sheet music and recordings ran into the tens of millions. No other play or musical up to that time had enjoyed such a dazzling international commercial success.

The University Opera production is directed by Sheri Williams Pannell, making her University Opera directorial debut. “True love conquers all,” including class and culture, says Pannell. “I am a romantic by nature and, like the audience as I watch the production, I am hoping the lead characters Hanna and Danilo can put aside their pride and celebrate their love. Also, there is a lot of naughty behavior going on, and it is fun to see how the characters wiggle out of their predicaments.”

Pannell is a master of fine arts (MFA) degree candidate in theater direction and has many regional theater credits under her belt. “The Merry Widow” serves as her MFA thesis project.

“I’m thrilled that Sheri, who is one of the most interesting young directors to come through the theater and drama program, was able to explore her interest in opera by working with University Opera,” says Norma Saldivar, who directs the graduate directing program at the Department of Theatre and Drama.

University Opera director William Farlow adds: “Sheri Williams Pannell is an ideal director for this work with her experience in both theater and opera performance. I am delighted to be setting the choreography.”

The opera, sung in English, will have three performances: 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24; 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26; and 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 28. All performances will take place at the Carol Rennebohm Auditorium in Music Hall, located on the foot of Bascom Hill at Park Street.

Tickets are $20 for the general public, $18 for senior citizens and $10 for UW–Madison students. Tickets are available in advance through the Wisconsin Union Theater Box Office, 262-2201; and the Vilas Hall Box Office, 262-1500. University Opera performances are often sellouts, so advance purchase is recommended. Any unsold tickets may be purchased at the door one hour before the performance.