Franz Lehár's “The Merry Widow” Opening at Northwestern

Northwestern’s first opera with new director Jay Lesenger, “The Merry Widow,” is bound to be a great success. Lesenger has brought about a new, exciting era of opera to Northwestern with precise direction and a light-hearted attitude. “I just love Jay Lesenger. He is such a wonderful director,” said Drew Selcke, a sophomore Vocal Performance major and member of the “Merry Widow” chorus.

The opera, about a wealthy widow from Petrovenia who lives in 1900s Paris, will be performed in an English translation by renowned American lyricist, composer, and Northwestern alumnus Sheldon Harnick. Filled with can-can girls, champagne, waltzing, and some very exciting man-tights, this opera is sure to be fun and entertaining for everyone. Held at Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson Street, on the University’s Evanston campus the production runs through Sunday. Times are as follows:

Thursday, Feb. 26: 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 27: 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 28: 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 1: 3 p.m.

Tickets are $18 for the general public; $15 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $8 for students with valid IDs.

For more information, call the Pick-Staiger Concert Office at (847) 491-5441 or visit the Pick-Staiger Web site at http://www.pickstaiger.org/. To order tickets by phone, call the Pick-Staiger ticket office at (847) 467-4000.

-L.A.U.R.E.N.