The operetta "The Merry Widow" is a beloved and enduring work of musical theater that has captivated audiences around the world for over a century and will now be performed at the Saigon Opera House on August 12 and 13, 2023 as a collaboration between the Ho Chi Minh City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO) and The Goethe-Institut.

"The Merry Widow," or "Die lustige Witwe" in its original German title, was composed by the Austro-Hungarian composer Franz Lehár, with a libretto written by Viktor Léon and Leo Stein. It premiered on December 30, 1905, at the Theater an der Wien in Vienna, Austria. The operetta's success was immediate and immense. It quickly spread to theaters across Europe, including Berlin, London, and Paris, becoming an international sensation. Its popularity extended to the United States, where it received its Broadway debut in 1907, further cementing its place as a timeless classic.

"The Merry Widow" is set in the fictional Balkan state of Pontevedro and the plot revolves around the wealthy widow Hanna Glawari. The country faces financial ruin, and its ambassador Baron Zeta comes up with a devious plan to ensure that Hanna's fortune remains in Pontevedro which would help save them from economic ruin. He encourages Count Danilo Danilovitsch, a charming playboy, to court and marry Hanna, in order to keep her from moving elsewhere with her vast sums of money. However, Danilo and Hanna share a complicated romantic history. Their complex relationship results in a delightful mixture of romance, mistaken identity, and comedic misunderstandings.

Critics have cited different attributes for the great popularity of "The Merry Widow" over the years. Franz Lehár's music is playful, complex and memorable. The operetta features some of the most beloved and recognizable tunes in musical theater history, including the iconic "Vilja Song" and the infectious "Merry Widow Waltz." Lehár's score is both lighthearted and emotionally resonant, effortlessly blending Viennese waltzes, lively dance numbers, and romantic arias, all of which contribute to the operetta's enduring appeal.

In addition to the music, the characters are complex but likeable, which allows them to connect with audiences across time periods and cultures. Hanna Glawari, the merry widow herself, is a strong and independent woman, which is a refreshing departure from the typical damsel in distress often seen in operas of the time. Meanwhile, Count Danilo's roguish charm and reluctance to admit his true feelings add depth to his character and help heighten the drama.
"The Merry Widow" also benefited from good timing. It arrived at an exciting time of global change and captured the frenzied optimism and extravagances of the day. It was composed during the Belle Époque, a period characterized by economic prosperity, cultural innovation, and social liberation. The story's backdrop of a glamorous and affluent society appealed to audiences who sought escapism and entertainment while providing a much-needed respite from the political and social tensions of the era.

"The Merry Widow" played a significant role in promoting operetta as a genre and bridging the gap between opera and musical theater. With its accessible melodies and humorous libretto, the operetta reached a broader audience, attracting people who might not have been regular opera-goers otherwise. This fusion of opera and musical theater elements became a template for many subsequent works, influencing the development of the modern musical.
In order to bring this timeless operetta to the Saigon Opera House, the Ho Chi Minh City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO) is partnering with The Goethe-Institut. In true collaborative spirit, the staging will rely on both Vietnamese and German creative energies

The show will be conducted by Askan Geisler. Born in Griben, Germany, Geisler earned the prestigious 1998 Folkwang-Preis during his studies at the Folkwang-Hochschule in Essen. Since 2001, he has been a répétiteur and conductor at the Musiktheater im Revier opera house in Gelsenkirchen, where he has led various operas and musicals. He received the Theaterpreis from Musiktheater im Revier in 2012 and is associated with prominent music organizations like Dirigentenforum des Deutschen Musikrates and Akademie Musiktheater Heute of Deutsche Bank Stiftung.

The script is an exciting collaboration between Nguyễn Bích Trà and Anna-Sophie Weber. Trà, a theater artist, and former Acting Director of Sàn Art in Ho Chi Minh City, explores experimental theater and works as a visual art educator. She holds an MFA in Dramatic Writing from Carnegie Mellon University (US) that was obtained via a Fulbright scholarship and will be a Visiting Faculty for Theater and Performance at Fulbright University in the fall of 2023. Meanwhile, Berlin-born Anna-Sophie Weber studied music theater directing at Hanns Eisler School of Music and founded Berlin music theater collectives while working at major opera houses. She previously staged her self-written opera collage, "Yesterday's Memory," at the Saigon Opera House. Weber will train the vocalists and serve as the director for the performance of “The Merry Widow.”

An impressive array of Vietnamese vocalists will take the stage for the evening. Brass baritone Đào Mác will be joined by tenors Hữu Trung Kiệt, Trần Thanh Nam, and Phan Hữu Trung, and sopranos Nguyễn Thu Hường, Phạm Duyên Huyền, and Phạm Khánh Ngọc. With varying accomplishments and experiences, they will unite as a cohesive group to simultaneously bring “The Merry Widow” to life and reveal the far-reaching talent of Vietnam’s vocal communities and the enduring power of cross-culture collaboration in musical theatre.