Franz Lehár was a Hungarian composer best known for his operettas, particularly the Merry Widow. He composed the music for the 1905 operetta The Merry Widow, which became one of the most successful and best-known stage works of the early 20th century. Lehár's other major works include The Land of Smiles (1929) and Giuditta (1934). He was also a prolific composer of songs, many of which have become standards.