Rent Franz Lehar: The Land of Smiles (2001)

Light Operetta with Genuine Pathos - Franz Lehar: The Land of Smiles review by CV

The name of Franz Lehar is immediately linked with the perennial favourite operetta “The Merry Widow” and if you have a vocal score of this you will see a list of other works by him on the back cover which all seem very quaint and old-fashioned judging by their titles. This is one of them and I was intrigued enough to put it on my viewing list. The experience was sheer delight and what was listed as a Romantic opera had genuine heartfelt pathos and contained topical themes, primarily the issue of feminism in different cultures. The dialogue I imagine was updated and in places was genuinely witty and funny. Although I missed choral and ensemble singing, the principal quartet of singers sang and acted brilliantly and Sang Ho Choi (the Prince) well deserved his accolade at the end. This is an outdoor production and it’s great merits were the natural sound effect and the dazzlingly beautiful costumes of both the European and Oriental. The music is often redolent of the Far East sounds of Puccini’s “Madam Butterfly”. Well done Cinemaparadiso for including this gem!