Railroad Hour 53 01 26 (226) The Merry Widow

# The Railroad Hour: The Merry Widow

Step aboard the observation car as The Railroad Hour brings you Franz Lehár's immortal operetta *The Merry Widow*, a glittering tale of romance and intrigue set in the capitals of Europe. On this January evening in 1953, listeners will be transported from the intimate confines of their living rooms to the grand ballrooms of Paris and the intrigues of a fictional Balkan kingdom. The orchestra swells with Lehár's unforgettable melodies—the famous "Merry Widow Waltz" will set hearts dancing—as our players navigate a delicious plot of mistaken identities, patriotic duty, and the transformative power of love. This is operetta as it was meant to be experienced: lush, theatrical, and utterly enchanting, delivered with the vocal excellence that made The Railroad Hour the crown jewel of American musical radio.

For five golden years, The Railroad Hour carried America's musical traditions into homes across the nation, presenting Broadway and operetta classics with the lavish production values of a stage performance. Host Ed Herlihy guides us through each week's journey with warmth and authority, while the show's full orchestra and stellar cast of singers bring professional Broadway polish to a medium that had democratized entertainment. *The Merry Widow*, one of the most frequently revived operettas in history, was perfectly suited to radio's intimate yet grand medium—a show where vocal beauty could shine unencumbered, where an entire production could bloom from imagination and sound.

Don't miss this magnificent evening of music and drama. Tune in and let the rails carry you away to a world of continental elegance and timeless melody. The Merry Widow awaits—a journey every lover of fine music simply cannot afford to miss.