RNCM Opera - Die Fledermaus

Oozing wit and bursting with Johann Strauss’ signature waltzes and polkas, Die Fledermaus (The Bat) boasts Viennese operetta at its best. Sung in an English translation by David Parry with surtitles, it is a rip-roaring comedy filled with deceit, betrayal, and champagne. Lots of champagne.

A night of farce, laughter and sensational music, the RNCM's vocal and orchestral students bring this magical work to life. And you never know, you might even spot a special guest or two as past RNCM faces make a welcome return to the stage!

The bubbles flow freely as exuberant characters descend upon Prince Orlofsky’s New Year’s Eve party, but thanks to the mischievous Dr Falke, confusion and mistaken identity soon ensue. He’s out for playful vengeance against his friend Gabriel von Eisenstein, who once left him in a drunken stupor for the whole the town to see.

To get him back, Falke plots to expose Eisenstein’s flirtatious ways to his wife Rosalinde and convinces him to join him at the ball for one last rendezvous. Rosalinde, fully versed in the plan and disguised as a Hungarian countess, wastes no time extracting her husband’s watch to use as evidence of his impropriety. Later on, a hilarious confrontation erupts as costumes are removed and identities revealed.

Johann Strauss II Die Fledermaus

Libretto by Karl Haffner and Richard Genée.

Red Cast Performances: Saturday 10 December, Tuesday 13 December, Saturday 17 December.

Blue Cast Performances: Monday 12 December, Thursday 15 December.