The Merry Widow de Franz Lehar, opérette européenne (Allemagne), est l’un des plus grands succès des années 1900 à Londres et à Broadway où elle est la cinquième plus longue série du théâtre musical de la décennie. Sa production à Broadway est la plus influente de son époque et a profondément modifié l'évolution du théâtre musical américain.
There have been several ballet versions of The Merry Widow, using re-arrangements of Lehar's melodies. The first, choreographed by Ruth Page, debuted in England as Vilia in 1953. Revised and retitled The Merry Widow, it toured the US and came to Broadway in 1955 with prima ballerina Alicia Markova dancing the title role. It was revived periodically by major ballet companies. Patricia McBride and Peter Martins starred in a PBS version broadcast from Chicago in 1982.
Maurice Bejart's adaptation premiered in 1963 and has had limited exposure. John Lanchberry created yet another version for the Australian Ballet in 1975. That company brought the piece to both London and New York with Margot Fonteyn and Marilyn Jones alternating in the title role. A new plot twists had Valencienne finally running off with Camille, leaving Ambassador Popoff broken hearted.