Die Fledermaus

Overview

Most opera houses ring in the New Year with Johann Strauss Jr.'s most popular operetta--the festiveness of which is appropriate for the occasion--and this December 31, 1983, Covent Garden performance follows suit. An exceptional cast--led by Hermann Prey and Kiri Te Kanawa as the couple whose marriage survives the comic indiscretions of three long acts--obviously has as much fun as the audience. Plácido Domingo leads the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House through its paces with panache. Prince Orlofsky's Act II party is always a splendid opportunity to pull out all the stops with surprise "guests," and this performance makes the most of its chance: entering the proceedings to sing one of his tailor-made chansons, "She," is French crooner Charles Aznavour, who is followed by dancers Merle Park and Wayne Eagling, their delightful pas de deux flashily choreographed by Sir Frederick Ashton.

Director: Humphrey Burton

Cast

Kiri Te Kanawa

Rosalinda

Hermann Prey

Gabriel von Eisenstein

Dennis O'Neill

Alfred

Hildegard Heichele

Adele

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Paul Crook

Dr. Blind

Benjamin Luxon

Dr. Falke

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Michael Langdon

Colonel Frank

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Ingrid Baier

Ida

Doris Soffel

Prince Orlofsky

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Richard Hazell

Ivan