An operetta by Johann Strauss in three acts Libretto by Karl Haffner and Richard Genée, based on the vaudeville Le Réveillon by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy. Premiere at the Estonian National Opera on May 13, 2010.
Music Director and Conductor: Jüri Alperten Conductors: Mihhail Gerts, Erki Pehk Stage Director and Designer: Michiel Dijkema Costume Designer: Claudia Damm Lighting Desinger: Bas Berensen Choreographer: Marina Kesler
Sung in Estonian with subtitles in Estonian and English Approx. running time 3 h, one intermission
Die Fledermaus, one of the most popular operettas by Johann Strauss is staged by Michiel Dijkema, a Dutch stage director who is known for unique one of its kind and intriguing stage productions. He delighted Estonians with La Cenerentola (2006), which is still in the repertoire of the Estonian National Opera. Die Fledermaus premiered in 1874 in Vienna and is still popular worldwide by virtue of its memorable melodies, mesmerising dance routines and intriguing story.
“With sparkling irony Johann Strauss composes a comedy of manners of a self-indulgent society, which loses itself unrestrained in joie de vivre and malicious delight, and wishes nothing more than to be somebody else, at least for the night.” - Michiel Dijkema, Stage Director
Gabriel Eisenstein has to go to prison for a few days, for insulting a public servant. The evening before his imprisonment he sobbingly bids his wife farewell and secretly sets off to a wild party held by prince Orlofsky. There he hopes to experience sensual pleasures of all kinds, of course incognito. Unfortunately his wife, who just had an unexpected encounter with her former lover, finds out. Her lover is accidentally arrested instead of Mr Eisenstein. Disguised as a Hungarian countess she makes her appearance at the party and seduces her husband. The maid, who had become the evening off to take care of her sick aunt, is also present. She has the opportunity of presenting herself as a brilliant actress that she has always dreamed of. Eisenstein is having the time of his life and does not suspect that everything is part of the revenge of “The Bat”…
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