Act I
We find ourselves in the ballroom of the Pontivedrian Embassy. The Ambassador, Baron Zeta has a problem. He must find a way to save his country from bankruptcy.
One solution is to prevent the rich and beautiful heiress Hanna Glavari from marrying a foreigner. He has decided that
Count Danilo, an embassy attaché would be the ideal bridegroom, but all is not going to plan.Danilo, irresponsible and light-hearted, has not yet arrived at the party and can be found nowhere. Immersed in matchmaking, the Ambassador has failed to observe that his wife Valencienne is engaged in a passionate flirtation with a French officer Camille, the Count de Rosillon. At last Anna arrives escorted by a crowd of hopeful suitors and the party adjourns for supper. Meanwhile Danilo has been traced to his favourite resort "Chez Maxims". Exhausted by the round of party going, he falls asleep in the deserted ballroom.
Valencienne and Camille return upset. Valencienne has forbidden Camille to declare his love, so he has written the
words, "I Love You" on her fan and now the fan cannot be found anywhere.
Anna reappears and Danilo awakens to greet her.
They discover that they are old acquaintances, parted long since by Danilo's rich uncle. Anna reminds Danilo of their
past affair but he declares that he will never marry her now because of her fortune. Further complications arise over
the lost fan. Anna chooses Danilo for her partner in the 'Ladies Choice' dance and as she does so realises that her
attraction for him is still alive in her heart.
ACT II
The scene is yet another party, this time in the garden of Anna's house. All are in national dress and Anna obliges
with the famous "VILIA" which is of course one of Lehár's greatest successes.
Baron Zeta confides
to Danilo the story of the fan. Danilo immediately recognises the writing as that of Camille.
Anna is still annoyed at Danilo for continuing to avoid her. She is now completely in love with him as he is with her.
It is only her millions and his pride that keep them apart. The fan now comes into Anna's possession and she is
convinced that the inscription on it is Danilo's declaration to her.
Meanwhile Valencienne and Camille appear and the pair retire to the summer house. Now Baron Zeta has called a
meeting of his staff at the summerhouse. He find the door locked and through the keyhole he believes he sees his
wife and Camille. Furiously he tries to break down the door, but Valencienne escapes by another way and Anna takes her
place. Camille comes out of the summerhouse and announces, his engagement to Anna! Anna is delighted at Danilo's
reaction to the announcement, he is furiously jealous and she interprets this as a sign of true love.
ACT III
We find ourselves again in the garden of Anna's house. This time it is decorated as "Chez Maxim's". Danilo is delighted
to learn from Anna the truth of the summer house episode but he still cannot declare himself. Only when she tells him
that by the terms of her late husband's will does she lose her millions upon remarriage, should he propose. She
accepts, gladly and then tells him that the millions go to whoever becomes her new husband.
Musical Numbers
Act I"A Highly Respectable Wife", (Valencienne and Camille)
"So Many Men Admire Me", (Ann and Men's Chorus)
"You'll Find Me at Maxim's", (Danilo and Ladies)
"It Goes To Show", (Anna and Danilo)
"Driving in the Park with You", (Anna and Danilo)
"Women! Women! Women!", (Danilo, Cascada, Zeta, St. Brioche, Kromov, Bogdanovitsch & Pritschitsch)
"The Waltz Scene", (Anna, Danilo, Chorus and Dancers)
"Flowers are Awakened in Maytime", (Valencienne and Camille)
"The Grisettes Song" (Valencienne, Grisettes and Chorus)
"Reprise: You'll Find me at Maxim's", (Grisettes & Danilo)
"The Merry Widow Waltz", (Anna and Danilo)
"Finale Act 3" Full Company