Franz Lehár

Without The Merry Widow, Franz Lehár would have been much less of a celebrity than he became. Born in Hungary on 30 April 1870, the son of a bandmaster, he took Dvořák's advice to be a composer. He wrote copiously in most genres, but nothing could outstrip the success of just one immortal operetta. He lived until 24 October 1948.

A selection of articles about Franz Lehár

Ensemble. Three Days in Ravenna - Giuseppe Pennisi samples Northern Italy's high profile and wide-ranging arts festival

Ensemble. Respecting the Spirit of The Merry Widow - Giuseppe Pennisi relates how 'Die lustige Witwe' is enthralling Rome

Profile. A Silver Age - George Colerick writes about Franz Lehár, probably the greatest twentieth century composer of operettas

Ensemble. A Not so Merry Widow - Damiano Michieletto's joint venture with La Fenice is not a success in Rome, as described by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Occupational Hazards - Opera North's staging of Franz Lehár's 'The Merry Widow', reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. A Memorable Evening - Shostakovich's 'Leningrad' Symphony performed by two symphony orchestras in San Diego, and conducted by Valery Gergiev, heard by Ron Bierman

Mixed Successes - George Colerick writes about the operettas of Franz Lehár

Ensemble. The Joy of Operetta - Giuseppe Pennisi visits Ravenna for a trilogy of Danube stage works

Ensemble. A High-level Production - 'The Merry Widow', heard by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. High Energy Performance - A 'Salute to Vienna' concert, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Viennese Pastry - Franz Lehár's 'The Merry Widow', reviewed by Susan Hampton