Dates
Sat 22 Feb, 7.30pm
Sun 23 Feb, 5pm
Irish National Opera
Strauss’ Fledermaus
Man-about-town Eisenstein is supposed to report to jail, his wife Rosalinde will stay home for the night and their maid Adele needs to visit a sick aunt. Yet all three turn up in disguise at Count Orlofsky’s extravagant masked ball. The champagne flows as the waltzes play. Mistaken identities and heavy flirting lead to a night, and an early morning, of hilarity.
Famous for his “The Blue Danube” waltz, Fledermaus is Johann Strauss’ most popular opera. Best-known for its tunefulness, upbeat musicality and Viennese lilt, the story has hilarious twists and turns, with disguises, double crossings and rivers of champagne.
Fledermaus showcases outstanding Irish vocal talent with sopranos Jade Phoenix and Sarah Shine as Rosalinde and her maid Adele, and mezzo-soprano Sharon Carty as Prince Orlofsky. American tenor Alex McKissick sings Eisenstein and baritone Ben McAteer (Don Pasquale 2023) is Dr Falke.
The ensemble cast also includes soprano Megan O'Neill and tenors Aaron O'Hare and William Pearson. Fledermaus is conducted by Richard Peirson and directed by Davey Kelleher, with set design by Paul O'Mahony, costume design by Catherine Fay and lighting design by Sinead McKenna.
A programme is available to pre-purchase online, and there is also a Pre-Show talk (with very limited availability) before each performance.