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
