My understanding is that this was added to The Merry Widow as a finale by Maestro Richard Bonynge because he felt the actual conclusion to The Widow just fades off and this would have been the perfect way for Dame Joan Sutherland to conclude it. She hit higher notes at the end than Ms. Kenny. Well worth looking for it on RU-vid. There is a superb recording. The orchestrations featured here are by Douglas Gamley who also did the arrangements for Miss Sutherland. The keychange which is here at 1.41 are different to Mr. Gamley's although this one works very nicely as well.
Beautiful costumes (the "Merry Widow" hats are amazing!) and excellent dancing to Lehar's music - what could be better? But which company is performing?
in quella via denominata Ernesto Capocci , che dal corso Umberto porta giu in via Marina , di sera si sentiva un pianoforte suonare questa Bellissima Musica....era mia Madre e ogni volta che la ascolto il mio pensiero va a Lei.....