WCU Opera Theatre Stages Die Fledermaus: April 8 and 9
West Chester University Opera Theatre will stage Johann Strauss Jr.’s Die Fledermaus on Friday, April 8, and Saturday, April 9, at 7:30 p.m. in the Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall, Philips Memorial Building, 700 S. High Street, West Chester. Tickets are $12/$7 for students at https://wcupatix.com/schoolofmusic. Director of Opera Nicholas Provenzale directs the operetta, in an adaptation by Richard Kagey.
Die Fledermaus is a comic operetta with a sparkling score. It has been delighting audiences since its 1874 premiere in Vienna. Performed here in English, Die Fledermaus is a comic tale of revenge, mistaken identity, a masked ball, and perhaps, too much champagne.
Two casts of student will perform the opera, accompanied by the Wells School of Music’s Chamber Orchestra, directed by Joseph Caminiti.
Provenzale says, “I am quite familiar with this score and adaptation. I performed it as a younger opera student and I also did a recording of it. I love this score and find that the vocal demands are appropriate for younger singers. Because Die Fledermaus is an operetta with dialog, our casts have had to hone their comedic timing skills, and also do a little dancing. It’s a fun challenge for them.”
Sidney Szwarc, who plays Rosalinda, agrees, “Die Fledermaus has been so much fun to put together. The opera is a comedy in English so, as you can imagine, rehearsing with the cast has resulted in non-stop laughs. I think the same will be true for the audience when they come and see it. We are all beyond excited that this production is coming together with the talents of a full orchestra and we are making this opera as grand and hilarious as it can be.”
West Chester University’s Wells School of Music is accredited with the National Association of Schools of Music, and offers programs in Music Performance, Education, Theory, History, Composition, Music with Elective Studies in an Outside Field, and Music Therapy. With state-of-the-art rehearsal and performing facilities and scholarship opportunities, students can perform in multiple ensembles, including band, vocal/choral, orchestra and more. Students study with renowned faculty who have dual careers as dedicated educators and professional musicians. Wells School of Music faculty and student perform more than 200 concerts annually.