To save the billions belonging to the young and attractive widow Hanna Glawari for his country Pontevedro, Baron Zeta initiates a very special matchmaking: he commands the charming womanizer Count Danilo Danilowitsch to carry out his patriotic duty in marrying the widow. What the baron cannot have known is that Danilo and Hanna already had a relationship in the past… Helmut Lohner really excels in presenting this amusing love story on stage. The gorgeous set (mainly designed in red and gold), the elegant costumes (with an accomplished mix of traditional costumes and Parisian evening attire, which perfectly reflects the mix in Lehár’s composition), and the presentation of the characters (with a shrewd eye-twinkling) add up to a formidable whole.
Les contes d'Hoffmann by J. Offenbach from Macerata Opera Festival, performed at Sferisterio di Macerata, 2004. Directed by Pier Luigi Pizzi, conductor Frédéric Chaslin. Starring Ruggero Raimondi (Lindorf, Cappélius, Dapertutto, Miracle), Vincenzo La Scola (Hoffmann), Désirée Rancatore (Olympi...
Ludwig II - Leben und Tod des Märchenkönigs, 2004