The Florentine Opera kicks off its fall season in a decidedly lighthearted mood. Franz Lehár’s operetta, The Merry Widow, premiered in Vienna in 1905 and has been wildly popular on stages across the world since then. The story concerns a wealthy widow, a series of misunderstandings between her and a long lost love, and attempts to hang onto her money by marrying her to the “right” man. All of it is mixed with delicious dialogue, dancing, and music.
Florentine’s artistic director Bill Florescu, tenor Rodell Rosel, baritone Corey McKern, and soprano Alyson Cambridge, came by the studio to talk about the production.
It's Cambridge's role debut as the widow Hanna: "I often play tragic characters who die at the end of the opera. And in my real life I have a sense of humor and I like to have fun!" she says. "So it's nice to do an opera role where I get to have a lot of fun on stage."
The Merry Widow is at Uihlein Hall at the Marcus Center this Friday evening and Sunday afternoon.
