Beverly Sills - Hanna Glawari's Engagment - The Merry Widow

[KatherineXIX]

I can't believe I didn't even know about this finale until I saw the operetta at my college. This is probably one of the most epic finales ever, right up there with Cosi act 1 and Le nozze di Figaro act 2.

[skycoaster67]

Saw this performance live! Ms. Sills, Mr. Van Way and Mr. Titus are all probably Americas best all time singers!

[thechinadesk]

Italian, with its plentiful vowel sounds is the most musical European language. The original German for Viennese operetta may not be more "musical" than English, but the original German communicates the atmosphere of the time and place far more convincingly than English. This is especially apparent in songs such as Wien, du Stadt Meiner Traume (Vienna, City of My Dreams). Elizabeth Schwarzkopf's version is arguably definitive.

[Joeleole]

As much as i adore Beverly Sills performance, i absolutley DESPISE opera in english! It sounds YUK!!!but apart from that very nice!

[foxyzzzzz]

Actually operetta.

English is not a musical language, but the original German wouldn't have been either. I suppose the NYC Opera did this in the vein of bringing opera to the common folk. This was before Bev installed supertitles, of course. I've also seen operetta done with German songs and English recitative, which is common, notably "Fledermaus."

[sebare]

I prefer german, italian or frech but for opera i don't like english

[saypc]

Beverly Sills is so awesome!Uh she is so good!

[sour7lemon]

I'm not used to this specific English translation! The English translation I know seems to flow better, I wonder what determines which one they use.

This is a stupendous video.

[beverlysills]

The main characters are:

Beverly Sills as Hanna Glawari,

Alan Titus as Danilo,

Glenys Fowles as Valencienne,

Nolan Van Way as Camille and Andrew Foldi as Zeta.

[sillsfan]

Thank you!

[lexmark78]

The best cast ever!!! I have this tape and watch it as often as I can! I wish I had a DVD of it. The voices are superb, the acting is fabulous and the entire production is the best!!

[sillsfan]

Is this Samuel Ramey singing with Bev?.. he's very very good!

[sillsfan]

Whoops! it's Alan Titus! sorry Sam!

[sillsfan]

I just LOVE this clip. Bev is looking soooo good and what can I say but I just love her. Thank you for posting this BEVERLYSILLS!