MUSIC

Die Fledermaus waltzes into Opera in the Heights.  

Opera in the Heights stages Die Fledermaus (the Bat), the beloved operetta created by “The Waltz King”, Johann Strauss II. The comedy is peopled by a married lady with a wandering eye, a Russian prince, an ambitious chambermaid, a practical joker called “The Bat”, and a man with a jail sentence hanging over his head.

The setting is fin-de-siecle Vienna, a time and place known for its opulence and decadence. As the farce begins, everyone is preparing to attend a masked ball at the palace of the Russian nobleman, Prince Orlovsky. What follows are multiple cases of mistaken identity, a little marital indiscretion, and plenty of flirting, champagne drinking, and waltzing. The jokes and melodies are non-stop.

"Imagine your favorite sitcom of all-time, your favorite funny movie of all-time, and add irresistible music: that's Die Fledermaus,” said stage director Benjamin Spierman. Linus Lerner, Artistic Director of Bayou City Performing Arts and The Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra in Tucson, will conduct.

In a stroke of casting realism, Anna Yelizarova, an accomplished Russian mezzo-soprano, will portray Orlovsky, the Russian prince. New for the company, for Die Fledermaus only, a Sunday matinee is scheduled on November 7 at 2:00 pm.

All performances will be sung and spoken in English.

Click here for a synopsis of this opera.

Performance dates are November 4, 5, 6, 7 (matinee 2:00 pm), 11, 12, 13, 2010. Tickets are $20 - $49 with special prices for students ($10) any time and for seniors ($28) on Thursdays, Fridays, and Sunday in limited seating areas.

Opera in the Heights is a professional opera company that exists to provide a stage for emerging performers and to bring affordable opera to the Greater Houston Area. All operas are fully staged with orchestra, and English surtitles are projected above the stage. Each performance starts at 7:30 p.m. at Lambert Hall, 1703 Heights Blvd. in the Houston Heights.

For tickets, please visit www.operaintheheights.org  or call 713-861-5303.