Sarasota Opera Company

 

Die Fledermaus

By Johann Strauss, Jr., Carl Haffner and Richard Genée

 

Opera delivers delightful 'Fledermaus'

BY GAYLE WILLIAMS CORRESPONDENT

The Sarasota Opera has done it once again. The fourth and final production of its 2006 season, Johann Strauss Jr.'s operetta "Die Fledermaus," is quite simply a delicious feast for both eyes and ears.

"Fledermaus" requires a cast of individuals who possess top-rate singing voices, in-depth acting skill and razor-sharp comedic timing. That's a tall list for a cast of 10 colorful characters, but this production has it all in spades.

The original libretto by Carl Haffner and Richard Genée is perfection, but even in this English translation by Marcie Stapp, the dialogue tickles and amuses at every step. The music and lovely voices just dish it out with flair.

Superb stage direction by Michael Unger included physical comedy and pratfalls executed cleanly with great effect. The cast managed to keep pace with both the musical and acting demands brilliantly.

Not to be overlooked, the orchestra, under the baton of David Neely, was exceptional. The overture, a popular addition to orchestra concerts throughout the past century, stands alone as entertainment, but as the introduction to such a production as this, it's a particular treat.

From start to finish, the Sarasota Opera has produced a winner.

 

 Die Fledermaus Kicks It Up A Notch

By June LeBell

The Sarasota Opera presented Johann Strauss, Jr.’s “Die Fledermaus” a couple of years ago.  While I liked it then, I love it now.  This production, directed by Michael Unger with an English translation by Marcie Stapp, is effervescent, delicious and totally delightful, bringing joyful guffaws in the theatre and happy hums outside.

Michael Unger, in his Sarasota Opera debut is well known to theatre audiences from Broadway to the Berkshire’s Barrington Stage for his deft handling of the hit comedy, “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”  But this quote from a review of his production of Marivaux’ “Changes of Heart” says it all:  Michael Unger has artfully walked the dangerously thin line between broad comedy and philosophical observations.”  “Die Fledermaus” is a tightrope walk, too.  But Unger is gloriously surefooted.

Broad comedy and slapstick are an important part of this operetta.  It’s hard not to cross the line from inventiveness to shtick.  Unger succeeds in keeping his singing actors on the right side.  Their mugging is natural and their mannerisms are fresh.  He also manages to highlight each character, blurring the others like a good film director, so the proper person is always the center of attention in a given scene.  Best of all, he never lets the comedy get in the way of the music and the singing.  This is, after all, opera and, without the voices – the beautiful voices – the story would be meaningless.

But this story of ineffectual infidelity, harmless trickery and good-natured table-turning actually has a philosophical point or two.  Unger successfully evokes the meat and potatoes of emotional truth from his performers.  His direction draws out an honesty of feeling that’s often lacking in broad comedies.  Then again, he had some pretty hefty talent with which to work.

David Neely, in his conducting debut with the company, keeps a tight grip on the orchestra and ensemble leading with spirit and agile support.  David P. Gordon’s scenery is beautiful and distinguished.  Howard Tsvi Kaplan’s costumes are bright and fitting.  This “Fledermaus” is batting a thousand.

 

Arts & Entertainment

 Sarasota Opera scores with amusing Die Fledermaus

 

"Die Fledermaus" was such a big hit three seasons ago, the Sarasota Opera brought it back this year.  This production is an even bigger winner than the previous one...  If you love gorgeous melodies, beautiful sets and costumes and plenty of slapstick comedy, this is the operetta for you.

The stage direction of Michael Unger was aimed at leaving no funny moments hidden, and he succeeded.

 

 Die Fledermaus finishes off a strong opera season

 

Champagne, love, intrigue and comedy.  What a wonderful combination, and they all come together brilliantly in the Sarasota Opera's final production of the 2006 season, "Die Fledermaus."  A stellar cast glitters more than one could hope for.

Stage director, Michael Unger, has created scenes of high comedy including prat-falls and reactions that appear so natural to these young singers that you don't doubt for a minute that they really are having a grand time. The moves aren't studied, but arrive so rapidly that the blink of an eye can cause you to miss a thigh-slapping highlight.

This production of "Die Fledermaus" is truly ebullient and a finer production is hard to imagine.  Do whatever is necessary, but get tickets for this opera.  You will have the time of your life.