Forget the usual Christmas telly – BBC Four is offering a real treat this year. Franz Lehár’s “The Merry Widow” arrives direct from Glyndebourne, promising a dose of glamour and escapism on Christmas Day. This new production, directed by Cal McCrystal, isn’t your dusty old opera; it’s a vibrant, witty, and downright fun spectacle with a clear wink to classic Hollywood movies.
The story? Think a gorgeous, wealthy widow, Hanna Glawari (played by the dazzling Danielle de Niese), surrounded by a pack of fortune-hunting suitors desperate to get their hands on her riches. Set in the Pontevedrian embassy in Paris, the operetta bubbles with mistaken identities, romantic shenanigans, and Hanna’s own search for genuine love amidst all the dazzling pretense.
Adding a touch of history to this already special production is the legendary baritone Sir Thomas Allen as Baron Mirko Zeta. Remarkably, this performance marks 55 years since Allen’s Glyndebourne debut – what a testament to both his enduring brilliance and the enduring magic of this opera house! Joining de Niese and Allen are Alex Otterburn as Viscount Cascada and Innocent Masuku as Raoul De St Brioche, completing a stellar cast that promises both stunning vocals and impeccable comic timing.
McCrystal’s vision seems to be all about capturing the sheer joy of Lehár’s music and giving it a visual flair that evokes the golden age of Hollywood cinema. Expect elegant costumes, lavish sets, and a generous helping of theatrical panache. While the operetta itself is a classic, this production feels designed to welcome everyone, even those who think opera just isn’t their thing. So, if you fancy a sophisticated yet thoroughly entertaining escape this Christmas Day, tune in to BBC Four’s “The Merry Widow.”
It airs Monday, December 25, 2024, at 8 pm and will be available to stream on iPlayer.
