Metz’s Opéra-Théâtre staged a revival of Franz Lehár’s Die lustige Witwe at its Arsenal venue, ResMusica reported. By stripping away traditional sets, the production relied on a single Montgolfiere chandelier, practical accessories, and the full architectural space of the Arsenal to create its visual impact. The opérette is in three acts, with a libretto by Victor Léon and Leo Stein based on “L’Attaché d’ambassade” by Henri Meilhac.
A Staged Production Without Scenery
The performance was the second season “hors les murs” for the Opéra-Théâtre, held at the Arsenal’s grand hall. Instead, its visual beauty was derived from the magnificent costumes by Giovanna Fiorentini, subtle lighting by Patrick Méeüs, and a formidable choreography by Lucas Resende. The staging utilized all corners of the venue, including corridors and access stairs, creating a highly mobile and integrated experience for the audience. One critic noted that while the superbe Arsenal of Ricardo Bofill is not the ideal venue for a work performed entirely without scenery.
New French Text Enhances the Comedic Operetta
The spoken dialogue was replaced by a new French text, written and performed by Jean-François Vinciguerra, who also portrayed the role of Baron Mirko Zeta. This new text was described as a hilarious and gag-filled adaptation that captures the dramatic stakes and enhances the operetta’s comedic potential. The musical parts were sung in German. The success of the production was attributed to its fluid direction, the constant interaction between soloists, chorus, and dancers, and a distribution of roles that was uniformly strong, with notable performances from Régis Mengus as Danilo and Philippe Talbot as Comte Camille de Rosillon. The exceptional involvement of singers like Régis Mengus, Christophe Gay, and François Piolino in the choreography was also noted for its success.
Cast and Creative Team
Emma McNairy starred as Hanna Glawari, opposite Régis Mengus as Danilo. Léonie Renaud played Valencienne, and Jean-François Vinciguerra portrayed Baron Mirko Zeta. The cast also included Philippe Talbot, Christophe Gay, François Piolino, Bo Xin, Éric Mathurin, Thomas Roedinger, and Ornella Bourelly. The performance featured the Ballet of the Opéra-Théâtre of the Euro-Métropole of Metz, led by Laurence Bolsigner-May, and the Chorus of the Opéra-Théâtre, led by Nathalie Marmeuse, with the Orchestre national de Metz Grand Est under the direction of Victor Rouanet. Smaller roles were given to singers from the chorus, allowing appreciation for artists like Ornella Bourelly, Thomas Roedinger, Éric Mathurin, and Bo Xin. Jean-François Vinciguerra was noted as being very comfortable on stage and a master of his text as the Baron, while Philippe Talbot was described as dazzling in his role as the sparkling Rosillon, though Léonie Renaud as Valencienne seemed a little pale in comparison.
