WSU opera presents popular Viennese operetta
In many ways, Viennese operettas were the direct forerunners of the American musical. With their frothy plots, spoken dialogue and choruses of pretty dancing girls, they provided entertainment for the 19th century equivalent of the "tired businessman."
Major opera houses often turn up their noses at their bourgeois cousins, says opera and musical theater director Marie Allen King – except for "Die Fledermaus," which will be played for Wichita audiences 7:30 p.m. March 15-17 and 3 p.m. March 18 in Miller Concert Hall.
The operetta’s shenanigans are elevated by music of extraordinary beauty and irresistible charm. The singing will be in German with English surtitles. The dialogue is in English. Johann Strauss II’s "Die Fledermaus (The Bat)" is a purely Viennese confection, a toast to champagne, waltzing and flirtation, says King.
The plot is that Dr. Falke got smashed at a costume party, and as a joke, his lawyer friend Eisenstein left him out in the town square in his bat costume. After awakening to the laughter of passersby, hung over and humiliated, Falke plots revenge. As a payback, he concocts an elaborate ruse to similarly embarrass Eisenstein. Needless to say, disguises and amorous intrigues abound.
Denise Celestin, associate professor of dance, choreographs "Die Fledermaus." Michael Palmer conducts the WSU Orchestra. Costumes are from Music Theatre of Wichita and the scenery is from Arizona Opera. Current vocal performance and musical theater majors comprise the cast. WSU alum Chet Carpenter makes a guest appearance as Dr. Falke, the title character.
Call 978-3233 for reserved tickets. Prices start at $12 with discounts available.
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