Directed and choreographed by Tony winner Susan Stroman, the cast also features multiple Tony nominee Kelli O'Hara in her Met debut in the comic role of Valencienne, Nathan Gunn as the handsome Danilo, Alek Shrader as Camille and Thomas Allen as Baron Zeta.

Sir Andrew Davis conducts.

The Merry Widow is performed in a new English translation by Jeremy Sams and has set design by Julian Crouch, costume design by William Ivey Long in his Met debut and lighting design by Paule Constable.

The opera, according to press notes, concerns "a wealthy widow’s countrymen [who] launch a romantic plot to keep her—and her tax dollars—within their borders."

In April a new cast will take on the leading roles: Susan Graham will reprise her acclaimed interpretation of the title role, with Rod Gilfry as Danilo, Danielle de Niese as Valencienne, Stephen Costello as Camille and Alan Opie as Baron Zeta. Met Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi leads the performances.

The Dec. 31 opening performance will be broadcast live on Metropolitan Opera Radio on SIRIUS XM Channel 74, as will the performances on Jan. 6, 13 and 17, April 28 and May 7. The Jan. 17 matinee performance will be transmitted worldwide as part of the Met’s Live in HD series.

The Merry Widow was composed by Franz Lehar with librettists Viktor Leon and Leo Stein.

For more information visit metopera.org.