Thursday, May 4, 2023

THE MERRY WIDOW




I have an intense passion for opera but was never enthused with operetta (usually a short, "light" opera).

It wasn't until I saw a performance of the 1906 operetta The Merry Widow that my indifference turned to passion. The intensely romantic and bittersweet sentimentality of Franz Lehar's (1870 - 1948) music left me in blissful state of melodic intoxication.
Lehar was a Hungarian composer and his music deeply resonated with my romantic Hungarian blood.

The Merry Widow is a simple story -
A young couple was deeply in love but their impending marriage was rudely interrupted by an unforeseen circumstance.
Many, many years later they were reunited - - he, a dashing military man and she, a desirable widow. Their ancient love was rekindled with - of course - a happy ending.

My video only contains a few excerpts from The Merry Widow and my piano performance is completely impromptu and unrehearsed. I tried to incorporate the essence of an enchanted May night.

                                     Jon


Video best viewed full-screen

 

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12 comments:

  1. RitaMay 4, 2023 at 6:50 PM

    I'm not into opera in any way shape or form but this was sweet with your video. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JonMay 5, 2023 at 3:08 PM

      Sometimes operatic music can be relaxing, without the singing or the plot. Lehar's music is always appealing.

      Delete
  2. Lady Caer MorgannaMay 4, 2023 at 10:42 PM

    My God , Jon, how I wish I could have hired you to play at my wedding. Seriously! Beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JonMay 5, 2023 at 3:09 PM

      I would have been delighted to perform at your wedding.

      Delete
  3. Lady Caer MorgannaMay 4, 2023 at 10:43 PM

    And YES,I DO love opera so much! Thank you for this!!

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    Replies
    1. JonMay 5, 2023 at 3:11 PM

      Opera is one of the few things that never fails to relax me.

      Delete
  4. anonymousMay 5, 2023 at 9:08 AM

    Like you, never was that much a fan of operetta. I like the operas where the soprano is leaping off building (Tosca), stabbing herself (Madame Butterly), and going 'mad' (Lucia de Lammermoor). So, these little frothy things never did much for me. But I do like The Merry Widow. Thanks for posting. I'm in awe of your talent.
    Paranormal John

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JonMay 5, 2023 at 3:13 PM

      I absolutely love the drama of grand opera - Tosca, Butterfly, Turandot (my favorite). I rarely like operettas, but Lehar's romantic music always intrigues me. Thanks, John.

      Delete
  5. Mevely317May 5, 2023 at 10:00 AM

    What a sweet story-line! Love your treatment -- both the audio and video.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JonMay 5, 2023 at 3:15 PM

      Thanks, Myra - I always appreciate your input!

      Delete
  6. Should Fish MoreMay 7, 2023 at 6:11 PM

    Hi Jon
    My opera, limited, has all been in Italy. My daughter and I saw Madama Butterfly, La Fenice, in Venice. It was quite moving, in a fairly small church, well off the crowded piazza. Neither of us had seen Madam Butterfly before, so it was a treat.
    Hope you're well, and the warmer temps have come down there. Here, it's still rain and temps I like, but I'm installing the AC this week.
    Cheers, Mike

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    Replies
    1. JonMay 7, 2023 at 6:52 PM

      Puccini is my favorite opera composer and Butterfly is a classic. It must have been a memorable treat to see it in Venice.
      It rains almost every day here in rural TN, but at least the temperature has warmed up.

      Delete

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