Reality TV of 19th century Vienna
Defaulted fines, disguises, descriptive fake identities, revenge and jealous lovers – they are all part of the delicious concoction of Strauss’ operetta. Die Fledermaus held a mirror to the society of Vienna at the time, exposing the greed, the sexual mores and the unleashed emotions of the nouveau riche. It is the reality television show of 1874, set to the music of the most popular composer of the time.
UWOpera’s production of Die Fledermaus promises to deliver seduction, hilarity and betrayal – with lots of singing and dancing. Director Theodore Baerg has sung the opera himself in New York, San Francisco, Vancouver and Toronto. Music director Geoffrey Moull has conducted it in Europe. Together, they bring the true effervescence of Strauss’ score to Western’s production. The music is lyrical, inventive and dramatic. Many of the pieces are famous in their own right – audiences will be humming along to the polkas and Hungarian dances.
Performances of Die Fledermaus are synonymous with New Year’s Eve in Vienna. The sparkling farce is a perfect fit for the festivities. It is also ideal to chase away winter doldrums in Southwestern Ontario.
The Don Wright Faculty of Music’s 40 students take turns in the lead roles, alternating performances. They are joined by a 34-piece pit orchestra. Students also take roles in stage management, properties and costumes.
The opera program also partners with Windermere Manor to provide a gourmet overture in keeping with the plot. In Act II, Prince Orlofsky, a Russian playboy, hosts a masked ball, which is the setting of much mischief. A package with dinner at the Manor before the show features a party menu and the signature drink of the character Frosch.
If You Go
What: Johann Strauss’s Die Fledermaus
When: Feb. 3, 4, 10, 11 at 8 p.m.; Feb. 5, 12 at 2 p.m.
Where: the Paul Davenport Theatre, Talbot College, Western
Tickets: $30/$25 in advance through the Grand Theatre, 519-672-8800 or www.tickets.grandtheatre.com
Music and the Manor packages: three-course dinner, shuttle service to and from the theatre, and Die Fledermaus for $60 (with overnight stay and breakfast, $115). Call 519-758-1414 for reservations.
For media interviews contact:
Director Theodore Baerg at tbaerg@uwo.ca or 519-661-2111, ext. 85388
Music director Goeffrey Moull at gmoull@uwo.ca or 519-661-2111, ext. 89316
Media relations officer Janis Wallace at wallacej@uwo.ca or 519-661-3767.
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