In May 2018 the premier of Franz Lehár’s The Merry Widow was a thundering success. It was not only Claus Guth’s sophisticated and insightful production that earned critical acclaim, the musical performance also received several accolades in its own right. The energetic conducting by Joana Mallwitz, Marlis Petersen in the title role, with Iurii Samoilov as Danilo by her side and Kateryna Kasper and Martin Mitterrutzner as Valencienne and Camille de Rosillon, the perfect couple, had audiences spellbound.

Cast:
- Count Danilo Danilowitsch: Iurii Samoilov
- Hanna Glawari: Marlis Petersen
- Baron Mirko Zeta: Barnaby Rea
- Valencienne: Kateryna Kasper
- Camille de Rosillon: Martin Mitterrutzner
- Vicomte de Cascada: Theo Lebow
- Raoul de St. Brioche: Michael Porter
- Bogdanowitsch: Gordon Bintner
- Sylviane: Elizabeth Reiter
- Kromow: Dietrich Volle
- Olga: Maria Pantiukhova
- Pritschitsch: Franz Mayer
- Praskowia: Margit Neubauer
- Njegus/Director: Klaus Haderer
- A Pianist: Mariusz Kłubczuk