Audio Description & Touch Tours
Designed for those with a visual impairment, our audio-described performances feature a live commentary describing what’s happening on stage without compromising the music. Touch Tours also available.
Select Venue
Lehár
The Merry WidowNew production
Theatre Royal Glasgow:
30 April 2025, 7.15pm
7, 10 & 17 May 2025, 7.15pm
4 May 2025, 3pm (Matinee)
Eden Court, Inverness:
22 & 24 May 2025, 7.15pm
Festival Theatre Edinburgh:
29 May 2025, 7.15pm
5 & 7 June 2025, 7.15pm
1 June 2025, 3pm (Matinee)
His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen:
12 & 14 June 2025, 7.15pm
A lavish Parisian party is a grand occasion for dancing, drinking, and (in)discreet love affairs. But Baron Zeta, the ambassador to the fictional cash-strapped state of Pontevedro, has a slightly more serious matter on his mind. Among his party guests is Hanna Glawari. Hanna is the glamorous Pontevedrian widow who arrived in Paris to enjoy her late husband’s immense fortune. Baron Zeta cannot bear the thought of Pontevedro losing half its national wealth should Hanna marry a Parisian. So, he assigns the charismatic Count Danilo to watch over her heart. But little does he know that they have quite the history...
Director John Savournin (Opera Highlights Spring 2022) brings his joyful touch to Lehár’s waltz-filled charmer. Designer takis brings his dynamic visuals to the romance. A new English translation by Savournin and David Eaton makes the opera’s wit sparkle, with the cast to be announced later in 2024.
New co-production by Scottish Opera, D’Oyly Carte Opera and Opera Holland Park
Kindly supported by Scottish Opera’s 'Play a Supporting Role’ Appeal
Part of Scottish Opera's 2024/25 Season
Order a hard copy of the new Season brochure>>
Show Details
Running time:
Approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes including a 20-minute interval
Language:
Sung in English with English supertitles
Translation by John Savournin (book) and David Eaton (lyrics)
Ticket price:
From £22.75 to £98.75 – prices vary by venue
Concessions:
£15 tickets for Under 26s >>
Concessions vary by venue
Access Opera Performances
Whether you’re living with dementia, Long COVID or would simply benefit from a more relaxed atmosphere, you can enjoy everything opera has to offer at our shortened Access Opera performances.
Venue information
Find out more about box office opening hours, travel information and access within the building in all venues.
Related Events
Pre-show talk: The Merry Widow
Get closer to the action and see into the minds of the creatives behind the production by attending a pre-show talk
Saturday, 10 May - Saturday, 14 June 2025
Touch Tour: The Merry Widow
For patrons with a visual impairment - free touch tour of the set, scenery, props and costumes
Sunday, 04 May - Saturday, 14 June 2025
Cast & Creatives
Hannah Glawari
Paula Sides
Danilo Danilovitsch
Alex Otterburn
Baron Zeta
Henry Waddington
Valencienne
Rhian Lois
Camille
William Morgan
Njegus
Matthew Kellett
The Orchestra of Scottish Opera
The Chorus of The Merry Widow
Conductor
Stuart Stratford
Director
John Savournin
Designer
takis
Lighting Designer
Ben Pickersgill
Choreographer
Kally Lloyd-Jones
Audio-described Performances & Touch Tours
Mention opera and most people think of singing and music – but this is only part of the overall experience. What about scenery, costumes, lighting, direction and choreography?
For those living with sight loss, our audio description service provides a live commentary describing the action on stage without compromising the music. As part of the experience, a recorded introduction to the opera is available in advance and there is a live audio introduction before the start of the performance.
Patrons with a visual impairment can also book onto a free touch tour – an opportunity to go backstage and become more familiar with the set, scenery, props and costumes.
Please book in advance for audio-described performances and touch tours by calling the venue box offices:
Theatre Royal Glasgow:
4 May 2025, 3pm - touch tour at 1.45pm
Book now
Eden Court, Inverness:
24 May 2025, 7.15pm - touch tour at 6pm
Book now
Festival Theatre Edinburgh:
1 June 2025, 3pm - touch tour at 1.45pm
Book now
His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen:
14 June 2025, 7.15pm - touch tour at 6pm
Book now
Listen
Listen to a recorded introduction of The Merry Widow:
2024/25 Season
View all
Don Pasquale
Donizetti
Saturday, 12 October - Thursday, 21 November 2024
Albert Herring
Britten
Friday, 18 October - Wednesday, 13 November 2024
The Puccini Collection
Opera in Concert
Friday, 22 November - Saturday, 23 November 2024
The Makropulos Affair
Janáček
Saturday, 15 February - Saturday, 01 March 2025
National Opera Studio Showcase
Showcase
Friday, 21 February 2025
The Strauss Collection
Opera in Concert
Thursday, 06 March - Saturday, 08 March 2025
Trial by Jury / A Matter of Misconduct!
Gilbert & Sullivan
Wednesday, 14 May - Friday, 06 June 2025