A quarter-century ago, ladies developed an enthusiasm for huge, beplumed headgear called "Merry Widow" hats. Their daughters now go in for cranial fillips known as Empress Eugenie hats, but The-Merry Widow, whence came their moth- ers' mode, is still tuneful and gay. Perhaps it is even more tuneful now, for a haunting nostalgia has crept into the lovely melodies of Franz Lehar.
Produced by Milton Aborn's Civic Light Opera Company, which has been presenting a voluminous Gilbert & Sullivan repertoire (TIME, May 18), The Merry Widow was revived in Manhattan last week. "Danilo." that...