DIE LUSTIGE WITWE

Count Danilo has been ordered to marry the millionaire widow Hanna Glawari so that the money will stay in his home country of Pontevedro and the impending national bankruptcy can be averted. But both the inheritance and his homeland seem to leave the count cordially cold, for he much prefers to spend his time in the Parisian nightclub "Maxim". But Hanna and he have a common past. When Hanna finally announces her engagement to the Frenchman Camille de Rosillon, Danilo's former feelings are finally rekindled. Moreover, a mysterious hand-held fan causes some confusion and madness...

Franz Lehár landed a world success with the "Die Lustige Witwe" in 1905, not least thanks to catchy tunes such as "Da geh' ich ins Maxim", the "Vilja" song or "Lippen schweigen". In addition to the classical waltz and polka, the composer also added dances such as the polonaise, kolo and cake walk, making “Die Lustige Witwe" the pinnacle of the dance operetta genre.

Director Bernd Mottl is no unknown director in Cologne. "Die Csárdásfürstin" is one of the most successful productions of the past seasons. Now he returns to Cologne Opera in a team with set designer Friedrich Eggert, costume designer Alfred Mayerhofer and choreographer Christoph Jonas. The Gürzenich Orchester plays under the musical direction of Andrea Sanguineti.