A widow worth millions, a former lover who ghosted her, and enough waltzes to make Vienna jealous.
Renée Fleming lights up the Met stage as Hanna Glawari, the fabulously wealthy widow of the title in Lehár’s beloved operetta, set in Paris and seen in a glittering production directed and choreographed by Broadway’s Susan Stroman. Nathan Gunn is Danilo, Hanna’s former flame, who is supposed to woo and marry her in order to keep her fortune in their home country of Pontevedro. Kelli O’Hara sings Valencienne, the flirtatious young wife of the Pontevedrian ambassador in Paris, Baron Zeta, played by Thomas Allen, and Alek Shrader is her suitor, Camille. Andrew Davis conducts the waltz-rich score, and the new English translation is by Jeremy Sams.
Acting
Fleming's comedic timing proves she's more than just flawless vocal technique.
Direction
Stroman brings actual Broadway dance numbers to the Met—unprecedented and infectious.
Score
The waltz melodies are so catchy you'll hum them for days.
Director
Susan Stroman
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This 2015 production marked the first time the Met entrusted a Broadway choreographer with a full operetta, bridging two worlds that usually sneer at each other.
Fleming had never performed Hanna Glawari before this run—at 56, she became the most age-appropriate widow in Met history, since sopranos usually lie about being older.
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