The Georgia Straight proudly sponsors UBC Opera’s The Merry Widow

UBC Opera will close its 2011-2012 season with a mounting of Franz Lehár’s The Merry Widow from June 21 to 24 at the UBC Old Auditorium (6344 Memorial Road).

The opera, which is performed in German with English surtitles, premiered in Vienna in 1905. The Merry Widow tells the story of a wealthy Parisian widow, Hanna Glawari, who is set up to marry her country’s most eligible bachelor, Count Danilo Danilovitch. Glawari and Danilovitch were once engaged, and while they’re still in love with one another, Danilovitch refuses to marry Glawari solely for her fortune, and Glawari won’t marry Danilovitch until he professes his love to her.

The Merry Widow is based on a libretto by Viktor Léon and Leo Stein. The UBC Opera Ensemble is directed by Nancy Hermiston, with choreography by Roberta Baseggio. Musical accompaniment will be provided by the UBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Richard Epp.

Performances start at 7:30 p.m. June 21 to 23, and at 2 p.m. on June 24. Tickets can be purchased online, by phone at 604-822-6725, or at the Old Auditorium box office.