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Media Release – Wichita Grand Opera, Die Fledermaus, March 17, 2012
February 17, 2012
Contact: Tony Applegate
Contact: (316) 683-3444
Contact: marketing@wichitagrandopera.org |
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WGO Serves Up Sweet Revenge
With Strauss' Die Fledermaus
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Emily Truckenbrod
Adele |
Michael Hayes
Gabriel Von Eisenstein |
Mary-Jane Lee
Rosalinde |
Michael Nansel
Prince Orlofsky |
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Wichita Grand Opera’s season-opening performance of Il Trovatore, on February 4th, earned rave reviews and attracted a near-capacity audience to the Century II Concert Hall. On March 17th, the WGO offers a lighter take on revenge in Johann Strauss’ dashingly debonair Die Fledermaus, or in English: “The Bat”. The performance, in Century II’s Concert Hall, begins at 7:00pm and will be sung in English.
The story of Die Fledermaus is simple. Leading man, Gabriel von Eisenstein, is about to become the victim of an elaborate practical joke by Dr. Falke, one of his best friends. Falke is out for revenge because a year ago, after a great costume party, Eisenstein left him passed out drunk in a park. Falke had to walk home the next morning, still wearing his ridiculous bat costume. Since then, everyone has called him Doctor Fledermaus.
In true operatic fashion, Dr. Falke’s revenge involves another costume ball, disguises, mistaken identities, outrageous fake accents, and a lot of champagne. By the end of the ball, Eisenstein has tried (unsuccessfully) to seduce his own wife, Rosalinde, giving her (and Falke) the ammunition they need for the last stage of the prank. This new production, designed by Artistic Director Margaret Ann Pent, and conceptualized by Stage Director James McNamara of Germany’s Frankfurt Opera. He has also directed for noted companies such as Arizona Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, and the world-renowned Bayreuth Festival and Vienna Volksoper.
Wichita Grand Opera has assembled another outstanding cast for this production. Michael Hayes, well-known for dramatic opera roles such as Don José in Carmen, the Duke in Rigoletto, and the title role of Otello, returns to Wichita Grand Opera in the role of Gabriel von Eisenstein. Mr. Hayes was seen by millions in the Live at Lincoln Center broadcast of The Merry Widow, and just finished a run of Follies on Broadway with Bernadette Peters; he previously starred with the Wichita Grand Opera as Don José in Carmen on the Lake and as Radames in Aida.
Young Soprano Mary-Jane Lee makes her WGO debut as Eisenstein’s wife, Rosalinde. Ms. Lee recently appeared in La Boheme, Faust, The Last Savage, and Wozzeck with Santa Fe Opera. She has also performed the roles of the Countess (The Marriage of Figaro) and Musetta (La Bohème) with Aspen Opera Theater. Soprano Emily Truckenbrod returns to Wichita in the role of Adele, the Von Eisensteins’ maid, following her critical successes as Adina in The Elixir of Love and Oscar in Un ballo in maschera with the Wichita Grand Opera.
Tenor Paul Smith will sing the role of Alfredo, an opera singer and Rosalinde’s former lover. Mr. Smith has performed in major European houses such as the Dusseldorf Opera and Prague State Opera, and he sang the role of Piangi in the London and Hamburg productions of Phantom of the Opera. Following successes in the title role in Don Giovanni in Washington and Count Di Luna in WGO’s Il Trovatore, Michael Nansel returns in the role of the bored Russian Prince Orlofsky. The evening’s grand prankster Dr. Falke will be sung by baritone David Settle, and Charles Turley will appear as Frank, the prison warden. Whitney Reader, who conducted last year’s season-opening Madama Butterfly, takes the baton once more to lead the cast and orchestra for this production.
SINGLE AND SEASON TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW. Patrons can continue to purchase season subscriptions for WGO’s 3 remaining productions this season through March 16th. Special student, senior, military and group rates are also available.
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Ticket Options: |
Best |
Better |
Good |
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Single Tickets |
$85 |
$58 |
$35 |
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Plan B – Save 14% |
$219 |
$150 |
$90 |
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To purchase tickets, call the Wichita Grand Opera Box Office at (316) 262-8054, in person at Century II Concert Hall, 3rd Floor, 225 W. Douglas Ave; purchase online at www.selectaseat.com; or visit any Select-A-Seat Dillons outlet.
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 Co-Chairs Bill and Mary Lynn (Beech) Oliver as Don Jose and Carmen from Bizet’s Carmen.
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Chairman's Opera Ball!
WGO’s annual Chairman’s Opera Ball takes place this year on Saturday, April 28th, at the iconic Crown Uptown Theatre. WGO Chairman Bill Oliver and his wife, Mary Lynn (Beech) Oliver invite you to don a mask and your best evening wear and enjoy an elegant dinner and dancing at Wichita’s biggest Masquerade Ball.
“Prince Orlofsky” and his special guests will be traveling all the way from the second act of WGO’s production of Die Fledermaus to celebrate with and entertain guests at the Ball. Afterwards, bid on the exciting auction items and dance the night away to the music of Kevin May and the Benders. Tickets are $200 per guest, or reserve a full table: $700 for a party of four, $900 for a party of six, $1,200 for a party of eight, or $1,500 for a party of ten. A portion of the ticket price is tax-deductible. For reservations, contact the WGO Box Office at (316) 262-8054.
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