One of those additions was It wasn't written for the lead, Hanna Glawari, but for a "grisette"—one of the high-kicking, decorative dancers who represent the bohemian spirit of Paris. In the 1907 production at Daly's Theatre, it featured Mabel Russell and served as a high-energy dance number that helped the show rack up a staggering 778 performances. Why You Haven't Heard It
The Song the World Forgot: The Curious Case of “Butterflies” butterflies_die_lustige_witwe
If you’ve ever hummed the "Merry Widow Waltz" or felt the urge to dance to "You'll Find Me at Maxim's," you know that Franz Lehár’s Die lustige Witwe ( The Merry Widow ) is the undisputed crown jewel of Viennese operetta. But did you know that one of its original hits is almost never heard today? One of those additions was It wasn't written
: Because it was written specifically for the English version, it never quite "fit" back into the German Die lustige Witwe libretto. Where to Find It Today If you're a completist, you aren't totally out of luck. But did you know that one of its
: Most modern productions use the original Viennese score, which doesn't include the "London interpolations".
: You can still find the English-language version of the song in certain highlights scores .
The next time you see a production of The Merry Widow , keep an ear out. While you likely won't hear about these "Butterflies," they remain a fascinating footnote in how a Viennese classic became a global fashion and musical phenomenon.
