St. Petersburg Opera finds familiar tune in 'The Merry Widow': economic trouble

The Merry Widow is the epitome of the infectious, romantic operetta from the turn of the 20th century. But the story is as contemporary as today's financial meltdown: An impoverished prince from a Balkan kingdom courts a rich widow in an effort to rescue the country's tanking economy.

Franz Lehar's musical bonbon has been a remarkably adaptable affair over the years, having enjoyed a half-dozen productions on Broadway, most recently in 1943. Late-night movie buffs will be familiar with the Hollywood versions, which include the Ernst Lubitsch-directed classic and a 1952 remake featuring Lana Turner and Fernando Lamas.

Now the St. Petersburg Opera is mounting an ambitious production of its own, with artistic director Mark Sforzini conducting and Theresa Andrasy-Sokol directing. Principals include Rochelle Bard in the title role, Stefanos Koroneos, Elizabeth Claxton, Gregory Schmidt and Todd Donovan. There's a large supporting cast, a chorus and a 25-piece orchestra.

There will be three performances of The Merry Widow, at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Palladium Theater, 253 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. $18.50 to $60. (727) 822-3590; mypalladium.org.

John Fleming, Times performing arts critic