This Friday on the 30th of September premieres Franz Lehar's operetta "The Merry Widow" at Vanemuine Grand Building. It is Lehar's most well-known operetta that premiered in 1905 in Vienna. The libretto is written by Victor Léon and Leo Stein and is based on Henri Meilhac's comedy "L'attaché d'ambassade" from year 1861.
The opera is set in Paris. The family of Count Danilo will not allow him to ask for the hand of a simple girl called Hanna in marriage. Hanna then marries a wealthy banker who dies on their wedding night. She becomes a rich widow with no lack of suitors. Danilo, however, no longer dares to approach and admit his love for her, as people might think that he is only after the money. Hanna must take the matter into her own hands...
The production team of "The Merry Widow" at Vanemuine includes musical director and conductor Paul Mägi, conductors Endel Nõgene and Lauri Sirp, director Jussi Tapola (Finnish National Opera), designer Anna Kontek (Finnish National Opera), choreographer Aita Vuolanto (Finland) and lighting designer Tõnu Eimra.
Director Jussi Tapola studied directing and dramaturgy in the Theatre Academy in Helsinki and opera directing and cinematography in Munich. In 1975 he started working in the Finnish National Opera. During the last three decades he has staged many productions in the Finnish National Opera, among them are Finnish and also world premieres. Jussi Tapola has directed "The Merry Widow" six times.
"When Paul Mägi called and proposed an idea to direct "The Merry Widow" here, I accepted at once. Directing "The Merry Widow" has always been a creative challenge for me, because to my mind it is one of the most complicated operettas ever. The characters of the operetta are anything but usual," said director Jussi Tapola.
On stage there will be different sets of casts - in the role of Hanna - Karmen Puis or Heli Veskus (National Opera Estonia). Count Danilo - René Soom (National Opera Estonia) or Aare Saal (National Opera Estonia) or Taavi Tampuu. In other roles: Taisto Noor, Alla Popova or Margit Saulep, Urmas Põldma (National Opera Estonia) or Reigo Tamm, Margus Jaanovits, Jaan Willem Sibul, Tõnu Kattai, Märt Jakobson, Simo Breede, Rasmus Kull, Valentina Kremen, Merle Jalakas, Katrin Kapinus and others.
The operetta is in Estonian with English subtitles.
The opera is set in Paris. The family of Count Danilo will not allow him to ask for the hand of a simple girl called Hanna in marriage. Hanna then marries a wealthy banker who dies on their wedding night. She becomes a rich widow with no lack of suitors. Danilo, however, no longer dares to approach and admit his love for her, as people might think that he is only after the money. Hanna must take the matter into her own hands...
The production team of "The Merry Widow" at Vanemuine includes musical director and conductor Paul Mägi, conductors Endel Nõgene and Lauri Sirp, director Jussi Tapola (Finnish National Opera), designer Anna Kontek (Finnish National Opera), choreographer Aita Vuolanto (Finland) and lighting designer Tõnu Eimra.
Director Jussi Tapola studied directing and dramaturgy in the Theatre Academy in Helsinki and opera directing and cinematography in Munich. In 1975 he started working in the Finnish National Opera. During the last three decades he has staged many productions in the Finnish National Opera, among them are Finnish and also world premieres. Jussi Tapola has directed "The Merry Widow" six times.
"When Paul Mägi called and proposed an idea to direct "The Merry Widow" here, I accepted at once. Directing "The Merry Widow" has always been a creative challenge for me, because to my mind it is one of the most complicated operettas ever. The characters of the operetta are anything but usual," said director Jussi Tapola.
On stage there will be different sets of casts - in the role of Hanna - Karmen Puis or Heli Veskus (National Opera Estonia). Count Danilo - René Soom (National Opera Estonia) or Aare Saal (National Opera Estonia) or Taavi Tampuu. In other roles: Taisto Noor, Alla Popova or Margit Saulep, Urmas Põldma (National Opera Estonia) or Reigo Tamm, Margus Jaanovits, Jaan Willem Sibul, Tõnu Kattai, Märt Jakobson, Simo Breede, Rasmus Kull, Valentina Kremen, Merle Jalakas, Katrin Kapinus and others.
The operetta is in Estonian with English subtitles.
Vanemuise 6, 51003 Tartu, Estonia | telephone +3727440100 | email teater[at]vanemuine.ee
