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

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