The Merry Widow (ballet)

John Lanchbery and Alan Abbott adapted the score of the operetta for ballet and retained the style of Lehár's orchestration.

The arrangement includes the well-known tunes of the operetta: Vilja's song Ich bin eine anständige Frau and the Weibermarsch.

The ballet was created for The Australian Ballet by Sir Robert Helpmann (a principal dancer and choreographer), who obtained permission from the heirs of the composer and the librettists (Viktor Léon and Leo Stein), by special arrangement with Glocken Verlag Ltd. of London.

The orchestration was by John Lanchbery (who was then the musical director of The Australian Ballet) and his colleague Alan Abbott.

The ballet had its world premiere on 13 November 1975 at the Palais Theatre in Melbourne, with Marilyn Rowe (Hanna), John Meehan (Danilo), Lucette Aldous (Valencienne), Kelvin Coe (Camille), Colin Peasley (Baron Mirko Zeta) and Ray Powell (Njegus).

The ballet had its premiere on 10 September 1988 at the Artscape Theatre Centre, formerly known as the Nico Malan Opera House, in Cape Town, South Africa.

The Cape Town City Ballet revived this version in 2008; the principal rôles were danced by guest artists Elza Leimane and Raimond Martinov.

However, before they can leave, Njegus arrives and instructs the three men to return to the desk to take care of some extra papers he is carrying.

Baron Zeta arrives, carrying a telegram and mentioning that a rich Pontevedrian widow, Hanna Glawari, is to attend the embassy ball.

Suddenly becoming aware of the presence of Camille and Valencienne, Njegus hides in a cupboard underneath the desk.

The couple end up on the desk with Camille kissing Valencienne and the two hugging each other, at which point Njegus suddenly confronts them, much to their surprise and embarrassment.

The Baron does not seem to notice anything amiss, but he does get upset at the amount of time the two of them dance together, and he makes an effort to remind Camille that Valencienne is married to him.

Seeing Hanna, who has just arrived in the area, Njegus explains the situation to her and asks her to change places with Valencienne in the pavilion.

Baron Zeta and Danilo pick up Njegus and hold him upside down and shake him until the key drops onto the ground.

Camille looks startled at this unexpected announcement and Valencienne faints with shock at her lover committing himself to another woman.

Baron Zeta is horrified at the thought of Pontevedro losing all Hanna's money to a foreigner and also faints.

Shortly after, Baron Zeta, Valencienne and Njegus arrive, and they openly show their contempt for Camille.

With the fear that Pontevedro will become bankrupt as a result of Hanna's marriage to a non-Pontevedrian, Njegus and Zeta lower the Pontevedrian flags.

Njegus and Zeta, who have also quietly returned to the room, are delighted at the outcome and raise the Pontevedrian flags on either side of the stage in celebration.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC-TV) recorded a live performance by the Australian Ballet, at Melbourne's State Theatre, on 25 June 1993, with Lisa Pavane (as Hanna Galwari), Steven Heathcote (Count Danilo Danilovitsch), Rebecca Yates (Valencienne), David McAllister (Camille de Rosillon), Colin Peasley (Baron Mirko Zeta), and Ray Powell (Njegus).