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| Great Performances: The Merry Widow: The Plot |
In the Pontevedrian Embassy in Paris, a great ball is being held in honor of the Grand Duke's birthday. Valencienne (Angelika Kirchschlager), the beautiful wife of Baron Zeta (Carlo Hartmann), the elderly ambassador, is flirting with a young French officer, Camille de Rosillon (Gregory Turay), but her husband at the moment has a more serious problem. How can he save his country from impending bankruptcy? Anna Glawari (Yvonne Kenny), the widow of a Pontevedrian banker who has left her 50 millions, has just arrived in Paris. If she marries a Frenchman, her millions will be lost to the Fatherland. The ambassador is determined that Anna, the Merry Widow, shall marry a Pontevedrian husband, and has selected the first secretary of the embassy, Danilo Danilovitch (Bo Skovhus), as the ideal bridegroom.
But the ambassador is worried. The handsome Danilo has not yet appeared at the party. Anna Glawari arrives, escorted by a galaxy of hopefuls. The Merry Widow sweeps into the ballroom and, in the waltz that follows, reflects that she might be loved for her millions rather than for herself. The ambassador escorts her to supper, when Danilo, who has been found at Maxim's, surrounded by beautiful women, arrives at the command of the ambassador. He hasn't slept for several nights, so he decides to have a rest.
Anna appears and wakes the sleeping Danilo. The two meet -- again. Years ago Danilo had wanted to marry Anna, but she was the daughter of a small farmer, and his aristocratic family would not consent; thus Anna married the rich banker, Glawari. She reminds him of their old affair, but Danilo tells her that for all her money he will never propose. When ladies' choice is announced, all the men hope to dance with the widow, but she chooses Danilo.
The following evening, Anna gives a real Pontevedrian garden party at her house. She sings the famous "Vilia," about an alluring forest sprite. After various complications, including the misappropriation of Valencienne's fan on which Camille has written "I love you," Anna announces her engagement to Camille. Danilo, unable to disguise his grief, storms off to Maxim's and Anna realizes at last that he still loves her.
Everybody meets at Maxim's, where the grisettes perform their famous can-can. By now, the ambassador, convinced that his wife is having an affair with Camille, decides to divorce her, and in the name of the Fatherland ask for Anna's hand. She tells him that unfortunately, by the will of her late husband, she loses all her money if she re-marries. Danilo interrupts her: if she loses everything, he can now propose. And she, triumphant, explains to him that in losing the money, it becomes the sole property of her husband. All rejoice!
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