Franz Lehar

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 Dvorák'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 M&V articles about Franz Lehar

Ensemble. An Exciting Evening - Jonas Kaufmann's Los Angeles recital impresses Maria Nockin

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

Ensemble. What does this symphony mean? - Shostakovich's 'Leningrad', heard by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. A Glistening Treasury - Songs with orchestra from Deborah Riedel, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... a bounteous seam of unfamiliar, wholly blissful vocal gems ...'

Ensemble. Smiles on Faces - 'The Merry Widow' from Los Angeles Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin