Customer Reviews

Lehár: The Merry Widow (Highlights, in English)

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There is a better English version. It is the version conductied by William Reid and sung by June Bronhill, soprano. The translation is MUCH more easy to love. The singing in the Bronhill version is MUCH better. For example, at the end of the famous song, "Vilja" in THIS version the voice of the soprano is WEAK and cannot be heard over the chorus; in the Bronhill/Reid version the soprano CAN be heard OVER the chorus as she hits her high note at the end of "Vilja"---the effect is VERY thrilling. So, click on "Bronhill" to find this version. The only problem is that it is RARE and must be special ordered from England. But, if you love "The Merry Widow" as I do, it is worth the wait. Enjoy! Email:boland7214@aol.

ADDITION 9-2006: The version with June Bronhill, soprano, and translation by Christopher Hassel is now entitled: "Léhar: The Land of Smiles; The Merry Widow; The Count of Luxembourg (Highlights)". It is from Holland but I saw it here on Amazon today. Email:boland7214@aol.

This recording of THE MERRY WIDOW features the cast of the New Sadler's Wells company, with Eiddwen Harrhy in the title role of widow Hanna Glawari, and Alan Oke as Count Danilo. This is another English-language version of the score, though not the best I have heard. I still consider the Joan Sutherland-John Brecknock version as the recording of choice, with the Dorothy Kirsten-Robert Rounseville coming a close second. Eiddwen Harrhy is a fine Hanna (her "Vilja" is quite stirring), but the diction of many of the performers is muddy and off-putting.

The orchestra under the direction of Barry Wordsworth is sensational. This recording makes me wonder why the Lincoln Center revival with Patrice Munsel has never been issued on CD.