Die Lustige Witwe

The verve of a fast-paced Parisian salon comedy, Slav vivacity, and a dose of political satire were the ingredients that made Lehar's Merry Widow such a success: a cosmopolitan mix of styles that owes as much of its effect to the shimmering instrumental color as to the catchy melodies. The 1980 Electrola recording was awarded the German Record Critics' Prize: "An operetta that, with its star cast, provides a new recording of evergreen tunes that is successful in every respect."