Graeme Murphy’s production of Lehár’s evergreen operetta receives a welcome revival. As Pontevedro teeters on the brink of bankruptcy, its ambassador will do whatever it takes to prevent the wealthy widow Hanna Glavari from marrying a foreigner. When her old flame Count Danilo refuses to marry for money, the result is a series of comedic misunderstandings, waltzes and even a can-can. Vanessa Scammell conducts a cast that includes Emma Pearson and Julie Lea Goodwin as Hanna, Alexander Lewis as Danilo, David Whitney as Baron Zeta, Alexandra Flood as his wife Valencienne and John Longmuir and Virgilio Marino as her lover Camille.

Limelight Editor’s Choice

Sway, smile and swoon your way through our delicious production of The Merry Widow.

It’s an opulent party, all glitz and glamour and Parisian charm. It’s an old-fashioned romance, flirty and funny and fabulous. It’s a Viennese waltz and you know all the steps.

The Merry Widow is a “shimmering all-singing, all-dancing Broadway-style show” (The Sydney Morning Herald), a frothy comedy packed with familiar waltzes and tuneful melodies. From the sumptuous Art Deco era costumes to the glamourous, geometric sets, the show is “visually stunning …sometimes you simply don’t know where to look” (The Sydney Morning Herald).

New Zealand-born international opera star Emma Pearson and beloved Australian soprano Julie Lea Goodwin share the role of Hanna, bringing their own unique energies to the iconic role. They’re supported by Alexander Lewis, returning with his acclaimed portrayal of Danilo, and Alexandra Flood, a dazzling Australian singer making waves internationally.