The Merry Widow, English National Opera

English National Opera's season of works focusing on women has featured an unfortunate number of victims, but here is a heroine who takes matters into her own hands.

In Franz Léhar's opera The Merry Widow, Hanna is a wealthy woman who can afford to make her own choices, free of financial dependency on a man. But when she chooses the attractive but footloose diplomat Danilo, she is tested in her own way.

Rest assured that with Sarah Tynan as Hanna Glawari, this new production of an old favourite will have special polish. Tynan has just won rave reviews for her performance in the title role of ENO's Lucia di Lammermoor, and she has the lightness and grace in singing and bearing alike to win hearts all round, including Danilo's...

Soprano Sarah Tynan will be a vivacious Hanna in the title role of 'The Merry Widow'. Photo: Chris Gloag

American baritone Nathan Gunn sings the dashing Danilo, with ENO favourite Andrew Shore as Baron Zeta and tenor Robert Murray as Camille.

Directing is Max Webster, inaugural Baylis director at the Old Vic and is an associate director there. With costumes by Esther Bialas, lighting by Bruno Poet, and the award-winning Stephen Mear's choreography, this promises to be an evening of unabashed glamour and glow.

Listen out for the arcing melody of 'Vilja', and the dizzying Merry Widow waltz.

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The Merry Widow is sung in English with English surtitles.