Meet the Cast of Opera Orlando’s The Merry Widow

Opera Orlando has begun rehearsals for its new production of Franz Lehár’s effervescent operetta The Merry Widow, with performances April 24 at 7:30 p.m. and April 26 at 2 p.m. in Steinmetz Hall at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Leading the cast is internationally renowned soprano Sarah Joy Miller as Hanna Glawari and Grammy Award winner and Opera Orlando general director Gabriel Preisser as Count Danilo Danilovich.

Praised by The New York Times as “vivacious and fearless,” Sarah Joy Miller is widely acknowledged as one of the industry’s foremost talents. Operatic career highlights include Gilda in Rigoletto and Leïla in Les pêcheurs de perle with Detroit Opera; Micaëla in Carmen with New York Lyric Opera; Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance and Violetta in La traviata with Palm Beach Opera; and Juliette in Roméo et Juliette at Opera Grand Rapids, Opera Carolina, Opera Tampa, and Lyric Opera Baltimore. Additionally, Ms. Miller joined the esteemed roster of The Metropolitan Opera for their productions of Rigoletto, Thaïs, L’elisir d’amore, Gianni Schicchi, and Adriana Lecouvreur in which she performed the role of Mlle. Jouvenot in her main stage début. Fans of HBO’s The Gilded Age will recognize her as a guest star, appearing as opera singer Christina Nilsson.

“This cast is such a joy to work with,” states Ms. Miller. “There’s an infectious chemistry among all of the cast members and each rehearsal has been full of laughter and the type of playfulness that it takes to make an opera like The Merry Widow successful. Everyone brings incredible artistry and comedic timing to their roles, so I know the audience will feel it as soon as the curtain rises."

Opera Orlando’s general director, baritone Gabriel Preisser recently made his Lincoln Center debut as the bass soloist in Handel’s Messiah with the National Chorale. His extensive performance resume includes the Father in Hansel & Gretel with Utah Opera, the title 

role in Sweeney Todd with Helena Symphony, and Figaro in The Barber of Seville and The Marriage of Figaro with multiple companies. Upcoming engagements include Figaro in The Barber of Seville with Helena Symphony and Silvio in Pagliacci with Opera Las Vegas. Mr. Preisser has been at the helm of Opera Orlando since the Company began ten years ago.

“I am thrilled to return to the role of Count Danilo and even more excited about presenting this gorgeous operetta for the first time at Opera Orlando,” shares Preisser. “With the comical dialogue, the waltzes and flashy dance numbers, and all the champagne, The Merry Widow feels more like one big party on Broadway and will be the perfect way to celebrate our 10th Anniversary.”

The cast is rounded out by comic bass-baritone Andy Papas as Baron Zeta, Opera Orlando studio artist Alexandra Kzeski as his philandering wife Valencienne, and tenor Adrian Kramer as her lover.

Andy Papas (Baron Zeta) is sought after for his impeccable musicianship and mastery of comic repertoire. His career highlights include Major General in The Pirates of Penzance with Salt Marsh Opera and Opera Naples; Pandolfe in Cendrillon with Vashon Opera and Opera Company of Middlebury; and the title role in Falstaff with Raylynmor Opera. 

2025-26 Opera Orlando studio artist and soprano Alexandra Kzeski (Valencienne) has been praised for her "larger-than-life voice and flawless stage presence" (OperaWire). Ms. Kzeski made her professional debut in 2025 as Berta in The Barber of Seville with Sarasota Opera as an apprentice artist. During the 2025-26 season with Opera Orlando, Ms. Kzeski covered Mimì in La Bohème and sang the role of Madeleine and covered Anna Sørensen in Silent Night.

Tenor Adrian Kramer is making his Company debut as Camille de Rosillon, Valencienne’s lover. His career highlights include Tom Rakewell in The Rake’s Progress with Opera Omaha and the Glimmerglass Festival; the Prince in Rusalka with Israeli Opera; and Hoffegut in Die Vögel with Pacific Opera Victoria.

Ahead of opening night, the cast of The Merry Widow will be appearing in a lead-up event at Judson’s Live, Operetta meets Bruschetta on Sunday, April 19.

OPERAX: OPERETTA MEETS BRUSCHETTA at Judson’s Live

Sunday  |  April 19, 2026 at 5 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

Judson’s Live

445 S Magnolia Ave | Orlando, FL 32801

Tickets start at $35 per show  |  Purchase tickets HERE

The cast of Opera Orlando's The Merry Widow present beloved melodies from operettas across the world, paired with delicious opera bites and drinks inspired by the culinary traditions from Milan to Vienna. Performers include HBO-famed diva Sarah Joy Miller, Grammy Award winner Gabriel Preisser, baritone Andy Papas, tenor Adrian Kramer, and pianist Nathan Cicero.

OPERA ON THE MAINSTAGE

The Merry Widow | music by Franz Lehár and libretto by Viktor Léon & Leo Stein

sung in English with English dialogue | with English and Spanish supertitles

Friday  |  April 24 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday  |  April 26 at 2 p.m.

Age advisory: PG

As the curtain rises, you are stepping into a grand celebration. The beautiful Hanna Glawari’s late husband has left her a very rich woman. In fact, she’s so rich that the economy of her homeland depends on her marrying a local — so the ambassador springs into action with the help of his wife, Valencienne, (a former can-can girl) to find Hanna the right husband. But it’s a tricky affair because the wily widow already has someone in mind: Count Danilo, an old flame, who has no intention of giving up bachelorhood. He’s got a bevy of beauties delighted to keep him happy with no strings attached. Rendezvous are rampant. Complications abound. Hanna ultimately gets her man as Lehár’s unforgettable tunes and waltzes bubble happily along.

Estimated run time is two hours and 30 minutes inclusive of one intermission. A pre-show talk, free for all ticket holders, will be held onstage 50 minutes prior to each performance.

This production is graciously supported by Kathleen Miller.

Individual tickets to Opera Orlando’s MainStage series featuring The Merry Widow are on sale now and start at just $22 inclusive of all venue fees. Tickets available exclusively through the Dr. Phillips Center’s Bill & Mary Darden Box Office (445 S. Magnolia Avenue, Orlando), online at www.DrPhillipsCenter.org or by calling (407) 839-0119, ext. 0.

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