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 TimesThe 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 RochfordRosalinde, his wife – Sarah RedgwickAlfred, a singer, her lover – Garrie DavislimDr Falke, friend of Eisenstein – Simon ThorpePrince Orlofsky – Lise ChristensenFrank, governor of the prison – Jeffrey BlackAdele, Rosalinde’s maid – Ana JamesIda, her sister – Edel ShannonDr Blind, Eisenstein’s lawyer – Nicky SpenceFrosch, a gaoler – Bernard HorsfallSpecial Guest Appearance by Leslie HowardTranslation by Leonard Hancock and David PountneyPre-Performance talk at 6pm
