CWU Spring Opera: Die Fledermaus

The CWU Opera Ensemble’s production of Die Fledermaus opens on April 11th in the McConnell Auditorium on the CWU Ellensburg campus. Die Fledermaus, directed by Gayla Blaisdell, will be performed in collaboration with the CWU Chamber Orchestra and the CWU Theatre Department. Die Fledermaus, sometimes called “The Revenge of the Bat” in English was composed by the Waltz King, Johann Strauss II, and was premiered in 1874 in Vienna, Austria. The music of Die Fledermaus contains the perfect combination of beautiful Viennese waltzes and choruses with dramatic solo singing and lively duets and trios. The libretto was originally written in German but it was translated to English just two years after the Viennese premiere for its first performance in London. American audiences have enjoyed Die Fledermaus in various English translations throughout the years, but this production will feature a 2016 adaptation and translation by Sarah Meyers. This version takes place in the wealthy Manhattan social circle of up-and-coming young professionals. Falke convinces his friend, Eisenstein to attend a lavish cosplay party thrown by the Orlofsky, an uber-rich celebrity, before he turns himself in to serve an 8-day prison sentence. Falke separately arranges for Rosalinda, Eisenstein’s wife and social media and reality show celebrity herself, to attend in disguise to catch her husband cheating on her and Rosalinda’s assistant, Adele, has also received an invitation to the same party. Mayhem ensues when everyone (including the Deputy who was supposed to arrest Eisenstein earlier) arrives at the party in disguise and under false pretenses. The operetta spotlights spectacular Central vocalists in the leading and supporting roles as well as a stellar chorus and the CWU Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Nikolas Caoile. You’ll be humming a Viennese Waltz as you leave the theater, but there may be some surprises in store for the audience as well! This is not your grandparent’s Die Fledermaus! Performances will be Thursday through Saturday, April 11th – 13th, at 7 p.m. and April 14th at 2 p.m. in the McConnell Auditorium on the CWU Ellensburg campus.