Sample Scene
The Merry Widow (1905)
Act I - Excerpt
Original German libretto by Victor Leon & Leo Stein
English translation by Adrian Ross
Editors Note: The Merry Widow's original Viennese producers were so sure it would fail that they used leftover sets and costumes. It became an international sensation, with long runs in every major city in Europe. By the time it reached Broadway three years later, it was a cultural phenomenon. It wasn't just Franz Lehar's glorious score – the script combined wit and romance as no other musical ever had.
The text below is taken from the Adrian Ross translation, which debuted in both London and Broadway in 1907 and remains in use today. This translation sticks pretty closely to the original German text, with two major differences – "Hanna Glawari" becomes "Sonia Sadoya," and the kingdom of Pontevedrio becomes Marsovia. I have adjusted a few of the stage directions for the sake of clarity.
The Setup: Long before the curtain rises, the beautiful farm girl SONIA loves PRINCE DANILO, but his uncle Рthe King of Marsovia Рforbids their marriage, and sends Danilo to serve as an attach̩ at Marsovia's embassy in Paris. The heartbroken Sonia marries the wealthiest man in the kingdom, who promptly dies. In THE MERRY WIDOW, Sonia takes her grief (and her fortune) to Paris, where every eligible man in high society pursues her. If she marries a foreigner, Marsovia faces bankruptcy. In hopes of rekindling past passions (and keeping Sonia's fortune in the country), the Marsovian ambassador tries to bring Sonia and Danilo together. During a gala embassy reception, Sonia finds her onetime lover asleep on a sofa. He awakens, and the duel of words begins.
SONIA
Marriage is against your principles, isn't it? It is your practice to
avoid it – at the last minute.
DANILO
(Appealing)
If it had rested with me, you would not now be the widow of M. Sadoya
but my wife.
SONIA
If it has rested with you?
DANILO
If it had rested with me.
SONIA
(Goes and sits LEFT on arm of sofa)
Well, let it rest now – that old story – we have had time to forget
it. At least I have.
DANILO
(Comes over to Sonia)
Come now, that's hardly fair - it was my old uncle.
SONIA
Let me see if I can remember the old uncle. Oh yes, he would not allow
his noble young nephew to bestow his aristocratic affections on a
farmer's daughter. So the young cavalry officer had to aristocratically
break his noble word.
DANILO
Which did not break your heart.
SONIA
Oh, no!
DANILO
It soon found consolation. Very soon – really remarkably soon.
SONIA
Yes, my plebian heart stood the shock wonderfully well.
DANILO
(Earnestly)
Sonia – I beg your pardon –
(bows, recollecting himself)
Madame, you know that my leaving you was not my fault.
SONIA
(With a laugh)
Nor perhaps my misfortune.
DANILO
(Bitterly)
No, your good fortune was waiting for you, or at any rate your great
fortune. You need not marry for money next time.
SONIA
(Rises)
My reasons for marrying concern no one but myself.
DANILO
(Quickly)
And your next husband. He will reap the benefits of those reasons.
SONIA
I had many reasons.
DANILO
Yes – twenty millions.
SONIA
(Crosses RIGHT)
Anyhow, I am rich – and a widow – with everything I want.
DANILO
Everything?
SONIA
Yes, everything!
DANILO
You are lucky! (Pause) Love?
SONIA
Luckily, I don't believe in love.
DANILO
You believed in mine – once.
SONIA
I was a little fool.
DANILO
Thank you!
SONIA
But now –
DANILO
Well? Now –
SONIA
Well, now – in view of my estates – my houses – my horses
– my cows – my pigs –
DANILO
Quite a menagerie!
SONIA
And my millions – I believe the noble old uncle would no longer object
to the noble young nephew bestowing his affections on me if it had
rested with him.
DANILO
(Going to her)
And do you think that I –
SONIA
All men are alike.
(Crosses to LEFT)
DANILO
Other men may be – but I am not.
SONIA
When a man says to me, "I love you" – I know he means my
money.
DANILO
You class me with all other men?
SONIA
You are all alike.
DANILO
(Angrily)
I, at any rate –
SONIA
Yes, they all say that.
DANILO
Do they? I, at any rate, shall never say to you "I love you."
SONIA
Never?
DANILO
Never, never, never.
SONIA
What a comfort. But why not say it if you want to?
DANILO
I don't want to!
SONIA
It needn't lead to anything. I would take care of that.
DANILO
So would I.
With both Danilo and Sonia refusing to express their true emotions, the stage is set for a battle of wills. At the king's orders, Danilo must make sure that no one else at the reception can get to first base with Sonia. When the "ladies choice" dance comes up, Danilo playfully disposes of Sonia's greedy troop of suitors. What transpires flows like dialogue, but is entirely set to music as part of the extended Act I finale.
SONIA
IF I MUST GIVE MY ANSWER,
MY CHOSEN PARTNER WILL BE HE
WHO DOESN'T SEEM TO NOTICE ME.
(To Danilo)
WILL YOU BE MY DANCER?
DANILO
NO MADAME, I DO NOT DANCE.
SONIA
IN FACT, YOU DO NOT CARE FOR THE CHANCE?
DANILO
DON'T CARE TO DANCE? OH NO –
THIS DANCE YOU GAVE ME, THOUGH.
SONIA
I DID. WHAT THEN?
DANILO
THIS DANCE IS MINE. THEN, GENTLEMEN,
I CAN DO WHAT I LIKE WITH IT.
AS I SEE FIT – THAT'S SO?
SONIA
OF COURSE!
ALL
WHAT DOES HE MEAN?
DANILO
THIS DANCE IS MINE, OF COURSE, GENTLEMEN,
THE DANCE IS WORTH TEN THOUSAND FRANCS,
I PUT IT UP TO AUCTION – FOR CHARITY.
NOW WHO'LL BID TEN THOUSAND FRANCS?
ALL
TEN THOUSAND FRANCS?
CASCADA
BUT FOR A DANCE?
DANILO
IT'S GOING, GOING – NO ADVANCE?
THE MEN
TEN THOUSAND FRANCS!
ST. BRIOCHE
HE MUST BE CRACKED!
DANILO
(Aside to audience)
IT ONLY NEEDS A LITTLE TACT.
THE MEN
(Leaving)
TEN THOUSAND FRANCS!
IT'S SIMPLY SILLY.
DANILO
NOW YOU SEE, GRACIOUS LADY, WHAT I SAY –
YOUR ADORERS ALL GROW SILLY
WHEN YOU CALL ON THEM TO PAY.
THEY LOVE YOU AND ADORE
BUT THEY LOVE THEIR MONEY MORE
AN THAT'S THE SORT OF MAN THEY RAISE
IN NOBLE MODERN DAYS.
(The ensemble leaves Danilo and Sonia alone, as the unseen orchestra begins a waltz. As above, this exchange is entirely in song.)
DANILO
THE LAST IS GONE AND YOU ARE FREE
AND NOW MADAME, PERHAPS
YOU'LL HAVE THE DANCE WITH ME?
SONIA
BUT I MUST DECLINE.
DANILO
THE DANCE IS MINE – AS YOU ALLOW.
SONIA
THANK YOU, I DO NOT DANCE.
AT LEAST NOT NOW.
DANILO
HARK TO THE MUSIC THERE, AT THE BALL
WILL YOU NOT FOLLOW ITS CALL?
(He stands behind her, tries to look into her face, but she turns away. He begins to dance,
trying to entice her to join in.)
SONIA
NO, I WILL NOT!
(As Danilo dances around her, she at last takes his arm, tossing her
head.)
YOU'RE A VERY BAD MAN
BUT DANCE LIKE AN ANGEL.
DANILO
I DO WHAT I CAN!
(They dance off)
CURTAIN