Die Fledermaus - Johann Strauss
Comic Operetta in three acts. 1874. Libretto by Carl Haffner and Richard Genée,
after Le réveillon (The Midnight Supper) by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy.
First performance at the Theater an der Wien, Vienna, on 5th April 1874.
“…galvanized by the superb conducting of young Madeline Lovell: her instinctive and assured grasp of tempo and pacing energised every singer”
Fidelio, Hilary Finch, The Times
The company’s upcoming concert performance of Johann Strauss’s classic operetta will be sung in English with Madeleine Lovell conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Chorus and a cast of stunning soloists – and with a special guest appearance by the world famous concert pianist Leslie Howard.
The story tells of Falke, whose revenge on his friend Eisenstein for leaving him after a party to wake up hungover, still in fancy dress and in full public view, is to ensnare him in an elaborate trap. He arranges for Eisenstein to attend a risqué party at the home of the outrageous Russian aristocrat, Prince Orlofsky, and looks on as he attempts to seduce a mysterious Hungarian countess, who is in fact his wife in disguise.
Gabriel von Eisenstein – Charne Rochford
Rosalinde, his wife – Sarah Redgwick
Alfred, a singer, her lover – Garrie Davislim
Dr Falke, friend of Eisenstein – Simon Thorpe
Prince Orlofsky – Lise Christensen
Frank, governor of the prison – Jeffrey Black
Adele, Rosalinde’s maid – Ana James
Ida, her sister – Edel Shannon
Dr Blind, Eisenstein’s lawyer – Nicky Spence
Frosch, a gaoler – Bernard Horsfall
Special Guest Appearance by Leslie Howard
Translation by Leonard Hancock and David Pountney
Pre-Performance talk at 6pm
