The Merry Widow
**operetta by Franz Lehár
libretto by Victor Léon and Leo Stein, translation by Petar Goryanski and Petar Raychev, partial adaptation of the translation and stage editing by Valentin Ganev
Director Valentin Ganev
Conductor and musical director Konstantin Ilievski
Conductor Ognyan Mitonov
Set design Krasimir Lukanov
Costume design Boryana Semerdzhieva
Choirmaster Lyudmil Gorchev
Choreography Tatyana Yaneva
Assistant director Marcho Apostolov
Multimedia Ivan Lipchev
Project coordinator Penyo Pirozov
With the special participation of Rosen Nenchev as Danilo Danilovich and Gerasim Georgiev–Gero as Njegus
In the remaining roles:
Hanna Glawari – Temenuzhka Trifonova
Baron Mirko Zeta – Aleksandar Mutafchiyski
Valencienne – Ilona Ivanova
Camille de Rosillon – Stefan Petkov
Praskovia – Lyudmila Kozareva
Viscount Cascada – Todor Velkov
Raoul de Saint-Brioche – Aleksandar Milev
Bogdanowitsch – Georgi Handzhiev
Sylviane – Petya Milenova
Kromow – Emanuel Alurkov
Olga – Silvia Filipova
Pritchitsch – Krastan Krastanov
The romantic plot of this classic operetta unfolds in a surreal, stylized setting in the spirit of “La Belle Époque”—an era of peace, prosperity, luxury and well-being, marked also by remarkable discoveries and innovations in many areas of life.
As is customary in this genre, a pinch of “local spice” has been added to the libretto.
“After my unforgettable experience as an actor on the stage of the Music Theatre more than 20 years ago in the musical ‘La Cage aux Folles,’ I now feel surrounded by the attention and creative commitment of an exceptionally talented and motivated artistic ensemble, ready to touch the audience with the discreet charm of ‘The Merry Widow.’”
Valentin Ganev, director of the production
Konstantin Ilievski’s conducting interpretation is traditional and imbued with Viennese elegance. Vivid contrasts, the dynamically articulated individuality of the characters, and the focus on the romantic orchestration typical of Lehár are the defining features of his
**