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Musique:

Die Lustige Witwe premiered on the evening of December 30, 1905 with the following leads:
•Hanna Glawari - Mizzi Gunther
•Count Danilo - Louis Treumann
•Valencienne - Annie Wunsch
•Camille de Rosillon - Karl Meister
•Baron Mirko Zeta - Siegmund Natzler

mwvgrisettes.jpg (15618 bytes)Contrary to popular misconception, the original production was a hit. Business was a bit shaky for the first month or so, but word of mouth soon brought packed houses. Medleys performed in Vienna's cafes and concert halls added to the furor. In those years before air conditioning, Theatre an der Wein always shut down for the summer. Due to the ongoing demand for tickets, Die Lustige Witwe transferred to the airier suburban Raimuntheater, then the prestigious Volksoper, selling out all along the way. The production returned to the Theater an der Wein in the fall, a hotter ticket than ever. When the show reached its 300th consecutive performance, the management finally invested in new sets and costumes. Months later, Lehar marked the 400th performance by adding an overture.


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