It’s Opera’s Love Actually, A Christmas Cracker Experience
Danielle de Niese shines in The Merry Widow, a festive opera delight airing on Christmas Day
Danielle De Niese, The Merry Widow, Opera, Christmas, BBC Four, Davos, UK
London: So, Danielle de Niese is gearing up for a big performance in Davos, right? She’s opening the World Economic Forum, which is pretty cool. But before that, she’s got a treat for us all. Her role as Hanna in The Merry Widow is set to air on BBC Four this Christmas Day.
If you’re not really into opera, she thinks this one’s a great starting point. She says it’s packed with tunes you probably already know. I mean, she even hummed a bit of The Merry Widow Waltz, and I was like, “Oh, I know that one!”
It’s a fun, light-hearted story about two ex-lovers who might just find their way back to each other. Danielle describes it as a Christmas classic, kind of like Love Actually. It’s the kind of show you want to watch every year because it just makes you feel good.
Danielle is super relatable, too. She’s not your typical opera diva. She’s done everything from singing in the West End to judging a TV talent show. Growing up in Melbourne, she was always performing, taking all sorts of dance and drama classes. She even won a talent show at just nine years old!
Her big break came when she debuted at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Since then, she’s been on fire, taking on major roles and earning the title of “opera’s coolest soprano.” Plus, she’s married to Gus Christie, who’s connected to the Glyndebourne Festival, making her a bit of opera royalty.
Danielle believes opera should be for everyone, and she’s not happy about the recent cuts to the arts in the UK. She worries that young talent might have to leave the country for opportunities, which would be a real loss for British opera.
Looking ahead, she’s got a busy year planned, including a role in Verdi’s Falstaff and her first Carmen at the Sydney Opera House. She’s excited to explore the character’s complexities and make it relatable.
She’s all about keeping opera fresh and engaging, especially in today’s multimedia world. Danielle believes opera has a unique power because it showcases raw, unfiltered talent. She’s confident that opera will continue to thrive, no matter what.
The Merry Widow airs on BBC Four at 8pm on Christmas Day, and you can catch it on iPlayer too!