The Merry Widow, the well known operetta by Franz Lehar was presented by the Chorus Urbanus at the Manoel Thetare, in Valletta on Saturday 28 September 2002 under the patronage of HE Prof. Guido DeMarco, President of Malta. This operetta was the curtain raiser of the theatrical season of the Manoel Theatre 2002/2003.

This operetta was also presented at the Don Bosco Theatre, in Victoria, Gozo on Saturday, 12 October 2002 under the patronage of the Hon Giovanna Debono, Minister for Gozo, and a repeat performance on Sunday, 20 October 2002, under the patronage of the Hon Anton Tabone, Speaker of the House of Representatives.

This operetta was the first venture of the Chorus Urbanus in this particular field. The Chorus Urbanus production of The Merry Widow featured the standard Operatic Society Version by kind permission of Glocken Verlag Limited, London. The libretto was translated into Maltese by Rev. Fr Louis Bezzina.

The Merry Widow is the most popular and consistently performed work in the history of operetta. Lehar's ravishing melodies sweep us back to a Parisian world of high-kicking can-can girls, popping champagne corks, elegant ball gowns and secret assignations. The plot thickens as Baron Zeta, the cucolded ambassador of the impoverished Balkan state of Pontevedro, seeks to prevent foreign suitors from securing the hand and fortune of the rich widow, Hanna Glavari. An Embassy plot to marry her off to the debonair Count Danilo Danilovich is complicated by the secret affair which has developed between the French Attache', Camille de Rosillon and the Ambassador's wife, Valencienne. Naturally, being operetta, all ends happily meet, but not before Hanna and her true love, Danilo, have led a merry dance or two.

The Merry Widow can boast of some of the most gorgeous melodies ever written for the stage and performances of the operetta have become synonymous with the most delightful evenings in the theatre. This light-hearted tale of political and amorous intrigue unfolds amidst the gaiety of Parisian high society. 

During its 27 years of existence, the Choir sang and took part in a wide range of activities, ranging from liturgical services, public and religious functions, concerts and also took part in operettas and operas. However, The Merry Widow was an entirely Chorus Urbanus production. Its members were prominent in all sectors involved in the production of this theatrical event.

This production's hallmark was the stylish stage direction masterminded by George Mizzi, coupled with the elegant scenography created by Joseph Cauchi and a glorious sense of fun utterly captivating the musical score's enchanting music conducted by Mro John Galea. Prominent in this production was the operetta choir which was formed entirely of Chorus Urbanus choristers. Choreography was entrusted to Simone Grech and Charles Sacco while the costume designer was May Vassallo. Wardrobe mistress Antoinette Borg and her dedicated team, all members of the Chorus Urbanus, succeeded to produce fashionable period costumes for the entire 70-strong cast which earned the admiration of all those present.

The main and secondary roles of the operetta were undertaken by soloists and members of the Chorus Urbanus with the exception of a small number of parts.The leading part of Hanna Glavari was interpreted by soprano Yvonne Galea while tenor Joseph Aquilina interpreted the part of Count Danilo Danilovich. Bass Noel Galea sang the part of baron Zeta while Pamela Bezzina and Donna Incorvaja (mezzo-sopranos) and Mario Portelli (tenor) interpreted the parts of Valencienne and Count Camille de Rosillon respectively. The parts of Viscount Cascada and St Brioche were performed by Albert Buttigieg (bass) and Salvino Cremona (baritone).

The ambassador's factotum, Njegus, was ably interpreted by George Refalo while the part of Kromov was assigned to veteran actor Franco Scicluna. Other singers and actors taking part included Victoria Agius (Praskovia), Mariella Cassar (Olga), Lourdes Buttigieg (Sylvia) and George Borg (Pritsch).

The Grisettes parts was performed by Andrea Meylak, Hilda Galea, Maryanne Sagona, Charmaine Cremona, Angela Mifsud and Patricia Borg, all of them members of the Chorus Urbanus.

In this production, the Chorus urbanus utilised all the possible talents of its members, making it an entirely Chorus Urbanus production. A souvenir programme was printed for the occasion.