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At the Opera with IPR November 3 and 4, 2012

Iowa Public Radio concludes their Performance Iowa’s Opera in October series with Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre’s 2012 production of Franz Lehar’s The Merry Widow. A wealthy widow struggles with where to invest her money. Written in 1905 by Franz Lehár, The Merry Widow tells the comical story of the well-to-do widow Hanna, wooed by Prince Danilo from the fictional country of Ponteverdo in an effort to save the country’s failing economy. Lehar’s score is full of luscious waltzes, including “Vilia” and “The Merry Widow Waltz.” Executive director Dr. Daniel Kleinknecht conducts. The cast includes Iowa’s own Laura Pedersen performing as Hanna Glawari, Austin Kness performing as Count Danilo Danilovitsch, University of Iowa’s Professor of Voice John Muriello performing as Baron Mirko Zeta, Alicia Berneche performing as Valencienne, and John Humphrey performing as Camille.

(Recorded January 15, 2012)

Jacqueline Halbloom is a Sr. Music Producer and Classical Music Host