UGA Opera Theatre to perform ‘The Merry Widow’

The UGA Opera Theatre brings one of the world’s most famous operettas to the Performing Arts Center with their performances of Franz Lehár’s “The Merry Widow” on Nov. 5 and 6 in Hodgson Concert Hall at 8 p.m.

The UGA Symphony Orchestra, University Chorus and Dance Department, led by Mark Cedel, Dr. Dan Bara and Dr. Lisa Fusillo respectively, collaborated with UGA Opera Theatre to bring this light-hearted work to the stage.

“We’re proud to work with so many talented departments to bring ‘The Merry Widow’ to UGA,” said Frederick Burchinal, Wyatt & Margaret Anderson Professor in the Arts at UGA and director of the opera theatre.

Premiered in 1905 in Vienna, “The Merry Widow” concerns a rich widow who is beset by scheming countrymen, desperate to find a husband for her who will keep her riches in the principality. The UGA Opera Theatre’s production, mounted as a semi-staged concert version, will be presented in English with English supertitles.

“The Merry Widow” is also the source of a number of melodies and songs with a life outside of the operetta.

“Songs like ‘Vilia’ are true crowd-pleasers,” said Burchinal. “This show is full of songs the audience will take home with them and hum for days after the performance.”

“The music in this operetta is as delicious as a sachertorte,” said Cedel. “Great melodies, lilting waltzes with lots of oom-pah-pahs.  Many will listen to the show and say, ‘Hey, I know that tune!’”

Tickets are $18 each or $5 with a UGA student ID and are available at the PAC box office, by calling 706-542-4400 or by visiting pac.uga.edu.

The operetta is part of UGA’s 2015 Spotlight on the Arts festival, the University’s annual celebration of the arts, which encompasses an array of visual, literary and performing arts events from Nov. 5-14. 

The Hugh Hodgson School of Music sponsors more than 350 performances each year. To view the performance calendar, subscribe to the weekly email concert listing or learn more about the School of Music, go to music.uga.edu.