Missouri State University Opera Theater presents Johann Strauss’s comic operetta Die Fledermaus in English, Friday April 17 at 7:30pm & Sunday April 19 at 2:30pm at the Savoy Ballroom, 224 E Commercial Street. Come enjoy the beautiful music, comedy and joy of Johann Strauss's most beloved operetta. "We're literally going to have a ball!" says MSU Music Professor Dr. Amy Muchnick, who conducts the production. Adds Dr. Ann Marie Daehn, MSU Assistant Professor of Voice, “When I first moved to the community and saw the Savoy Ballroom, I thought 'Ooh, Fledermaus!' The whole second act happens at a ball... it's destination opera!"
Singing Rosalinde is graduate student Jena Campbell, soprano, one of the winners of the MSU Music Department Concerto Competition.
In addition to the student cast there will be special "gala" guests at the Act II ball, including MSU Associate Professor of Music, mezzo-soprano Dr. Paula Patterson, who will participate in a comic trio from Massenet's Cinderella opera Cendrillon in which the evil stepmother and her daughters are preparing to attend the Prince's ball. "We basically have them crash the party (in act II of Fledermaus),” says Dr. Daehn. Another MSU music faculty member, Associate Professor and baritone Dr. Richard Todd Payne, will sing the role of the prison warden Frank.
In keeping with the performance venue, the Savoy Ballroom, the "intermission" will be a dance break that allows you to waltz the evening (or afternoon) away along with the cast. Says Dr. Daehn, "We're going to open up the ballroom, turn on the chandeliers and the twinkle lights and let everyone dance. We'll have a selection of waltzes and other ballroom dances." There will also be an open bar during intermission.
Dr. Muchnick describes the production as “zany, really out there,” with lots of local references. “We've changed texts to mention Springfield, Bass Pro, the whole thing.” General admission is $20; $10 for students. For information call 836-6011 or visit www.missouristate.edu/music/opera.aspx.