Lehar’s The Merry Widow in HD at The Grand!

Ellsworth, Maine - The “Live in HD” high-definition simulcast series of productions from The New York Metropolitan Opera continues its 2014 – 2015 season at The Grand on January 17th at 1 pm with a presentation of The Merry Widow. The operetta is Franz Lehar's classic (with libretto by Viktor Léon and Leo Stein) based on an 1861 comedy play, L'attaché d'ambassade (The Embassy Attaché) by Henri Meilhac and stars Renee Fleming in the title role. Tickets are $26.00 for adults, $24.00 for Grand members and $19.00 for students (15 and under).

“The Met: Live in HD,” the Metropolitan Opera’s award-winning series of live transmissions offering a significant portion of the Met season to DownEast and MidCoast Maine communities, continues its ninth season with Lehar's The Merry Widow. This operetta has enjoyed extraordinary international success since its 1905 premiere in Vienna and continues to be frequently revived and recorded. Film and other adaptations have also been made. Well-known music from the score includes the "Vilja Song", "Da geh' ich zu Maxim" ("You'll Find Me at Maxim's"), and the "Merry Widow Waltz."  Fleming stars as the beguiling femme fatale who captivates all Paris, seen in a new staging by Broadway virtuoso director and choreographer Susan Stroman (The Producers,
Oklahoma!, Contact).  American operatic baritone Nathan Gunn co-stars as Danilo and American soprano (and notable Broadway musical star) Kelli O'Hara as Valencienne bringing virtuosic support to this production. Stroman's production team – creating an art-nouveau setting that climaxes with singing and dancing grisettes at the legendary Maxim’s –  includes Set Designer Juilian Crouch, Lighting Designer Paule Constable, Costume Designer William Ivey Long and with Stroman providing choreography as well. Sir Andrew Davis and Fabio Luisi conducts.

“The Met: Live in HD series” is made possible by a generous grant from its founding sponsor, The Neubauer Family Foundation. Global corporate sponsorship of The Met: Live in HD is provided by Bloomberg. Transmission of The Met: Live in HD in Canada is made possible thanks to the generosity of Jacqueline Desmarais, in memory of Paul G. Desmarais Sr. The HD broadcasts are supported by Toll Brothers, America’s luxury home builder®. Bar Harbor Bank and Trust sponsors the season presentation at The Grand, with additional support from Webersinn Appraisal Company.

For more information on the Met opera at The Grand, please call the box office at 207-667-9500. For more information on events at The Grand visit The Grand website at www.grandonline.org or follow The Grand on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Grand-Auditorium/112755987339