This week, The Metropolitan Opera presents a 1986 archive performance of Johann Strauss Jr.'s "Die Fledermaus" in celebration of the opera's 150th anniversary.
“A sumptuous fantasy out of some grand hotel of the Belle Epoch”—this was one critic’s comment when this production of the most Viennese of all operettas opened at the Met. Staged by Vienna’s own Otto Schenk (who also does a star turn as the jailer Frosch), with gorgeous sets and costumes by Günther Schneider-Siemssen and Peter J. Hall, it’s the essence of a carefree, slightly naughty take on the myth of the Imperial city by the Danube. Of course it helps to have an all-star cast: from Tatiana Troyanos’s arch, smoldering Prince Orlofsky to Kiri Te Kanawa’s dreamy, elegant Rosalinde to Judith Blegen’s pert Adele. No wonder all the men involved are completely smitten—and everybody is having the time of their lives. The production is conducted by Jeffrey Tate.
Here's our weekly preview from Joshua Borths. You can hear his segments on my "Afternoon Classical" show each Friday afternoon just before 5pm.
Tune in to hear "Die Fledermaus" Saturday afternoon, April 12th at 1pm on VPM Music, 93.1 and 107.3 in central Virginia and streaming online here at vpm.org!
Yours in good music,
Mike Goldberg
Classical Host, VPM Music