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Prince Orlovsky (Susan Graham), and the Santa Fe Opera Chorus, Die Fledermaus, (c) Ken Howard

Die Fledermaus 2017

June 30 - August 26, 2017

Oh What a Night…

The pranks are out of control at the party of the year when Gabriel von Eisenstein doesn’t recognize his wife and tries to seduce her. Die Fledermaus (The Bat), is considered to be the greatest of all Viennese operettas. Prepare yourself for Strauss’ magical waltz themes and an abundance of love and laughter.

Music By
Johann Strauss II
Libretto By
Carl Haffner & Richard Genée

Synopsis

Act I

The Eisensteins’ Apartment: Alfred serenades his old flame Rosalinda, now married to Gabriel von Eisenstein. Adele, Rosalinda’s maid, has been invited to a ball hosted by the fantastically wealthy Prince Orlovsky, but Rosalinda refuses to let her have the night off. Eisenstein and his lawyer, Blind, arrive: Eisenstein must begin a jail sentence that night. Eisenstein’s friend Falke urges him to delay going to jail until morning and to join him at the ball. While Eisenstein changes, Falke sets in motion a plot to pay back a prank played on him by Eisenstein when they were both young men. It involved leaving Falke drunk in the town square, wearing a bat costume (the “Fledermaus“ of the title). Falke invites Rosalinda to the ball, telling her that if she comes in disguise, she’ll be able to observe her husband flirting with other women. Rosalinda agrees to attend, and gives Adele the night off after all.

Act II

Prince Orlovsky’s Villa: Prince Orlovsky doubts that Falke’s promised entertainment will brighten his spirits, but proclaims that his guests should behave however they like. Adele arrives, and her sister Ida decides to present her as a Russian actress, “Olga.“ Eisenstein and Prison Warden Frank enter, posing as Frenchmen, per Falke’s instructions. Finally, Rosalinda arrives, disguised as a Hungarian countess. The crowd sings, dances, toasts, and flirts until the clock strikes six. Eisenstein rushes off to jail.

Act III

Jail: Frosch the jailer is vexed by the late arrival of his boss, Frank, who finally appears, tipsy and enraptured by memories of his magical evening. They are joined, in rapid succession, by each of the other players in Falke’s grand joke, now finally reaching its punchline.

Artists

Kurt Streit headshot

Kurt Streit

Tenor

Gabriel von Eisenstein

Devon Guthrie headshot

Devon Guthrie

Soprano

Rosalinda

Jane Archibald headshot

Jane Archibald

Soprano

Adele

Susan Graham headshot

Susan Graham

Mezzo-soprano

Prince Orlovsky

Paula Murrihy headshot

Paula Murrihy

Mezzo-soprano

Prince Orlovsky (July 14, August 1)

Dimitri Pittas headshot

Dimitri Pittas

Tenor

Alfred

Joshua Hopkins headshot

Joshua Hopkins

Baritone

Dr. Falke

David Govertsen headshot

David Govertsen

Bass-baritone

Frank

Kevin Burdette headshot

Kevin Burdette

Bass

Frosch

Stephen Carroll headshot

Stephen Carroll

Tenor

Dr. Blind

Adelaide Boedecker headshot

Adelaide Boedecker

Soprano

Ida

Nicholas Carter headshot

Nicholas Carter

Conductor

Ned Canty headshot

Ned Canty

Director

Allen-Moyer

Allen Moyer

Scenic Designer

Zack Brown headshot

Zack Brown

Scenic & Costume Designer

Original Design

Christianne Myers headshot

Christianne Myers

Costume Designer

Duane Schuler headshot

Duane Schuler

Lighting Designer

Sean-Curran

Seán Curran

Choreographer

Susanne Sheston headshot

Susanne Sheston

Chorus Master