Parlando: The COC Blog

Die Fledermaus

What's it all about?

With a story that could be ripped from the tabloids, or at least from reality television, Die Fledermaus is best summed up as a comedic operetta about rich people being naughty. 

The story revolves around Gabriel von Eisenstein, a self-made man who, upon verbally abusing a police officer, is sentenced to spend eight days in jail. And if that wasn’t embarrassing enough, the party of the year is set to occur the very night he’s to march himself to prison. So what does Eisenstein do? He lies to his wife, pretends to leave for prison early but attends the party instead. 

But the deception does not end there! Eisenstein’s long-suffering wife, Rosalinde, is being pursued by an ex-lover and finding it hard to refuse him. Meanwhile her maid Adele is dead-set on attending the party despite her mistress’s orders, and Eisenstein’s old friend Dr. Falke seems to have a trick or two up his sleeve and revenge on his mind. The scene is set for an evening of drinking, dancing and debauchery. 

At the end of the day, Die Fledermaus is a hilarious romp of mistaken identity fueled by champagne, ego and hubris, with a happy ending for all!

Why is it special? 

Due to its light nature, witty libretto and dazzling, hummable melodies that stay with you after a performance, Die Fledermaus is one of the most memorable nights you can have at the opera. The music is infectious, the ball is grandiose and the characters are outrageous, yet relatable. Ultimately, Die Fledermausis the perfect example of an operatic farce, complete with romantic diversions and glamorous costumes.  

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CELEBRATING CULTURE DAYS AT THE COC – REHEARSAL OF DIE FLEDERMAUS 

September 28, 2012, 7:30 – 9 p.m. 

Doors open at 6:15 p.m. 

Pre-rehearsal chat at 6:30 p.m. 

Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. W. (at University Avenue) 

Tickets: FREE 

As part of Culture Days, a three-day, cross-Canada event aimed at encouraging participation in the arts, the Canadian Opera Company offers an exclusive opportunity to attend a portion of a rehearsal of the COC’s new production of Johann Strauss II’s madcap comedy Die Fledermaus at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Before the rehearsal, get the inside scoop at an exclusive pre-performance interview hosted by Brent Bambury who will be chatting with costume designer, Constance Hoffman and set designer Allen Moyer.

The rehearsal process is rarely open to the general public but on Friday, September 28, 2012, 500 people can catch a first glimpse of this effervescent operetta of mistaken identity and seduction set in elegant, early 20th-century Vienna. A pre-rehearsal chat in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre in the Four Seasons Centre, gives audience members insight into the popular work, as well as into the process of bringing an operatic production to the stage. 

Admission is limited to 500 patrons. 

Tickets to the event are FREE and will be distributed at the door starting at 6 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis with an allowance of one ticket per person.

Tickets are not available in advance. 

For more information, call COC Ticket Services at 416-363-8231.

Photo: Preliminary costume sketch of a chorus girl (top) and the character Adele (bottom) by costume designer Constance Hoffman for the COC’s production of Die Fledermaus, 2012.