A new production of Johann Strauss' comedy Die Fledermaus premieres tonight at 7.30 pm at the Queens Hall.
This riotous comedy, staged by the Young Artist Collective of the Classical Music Development Foundation of T&T, sets the farcical story of romantic intrigue and mistaken identity at the turn of the 20th century.
The story has been adapted to English and transported to post-Independence Trinidad, but the music is all Strauss, said a release from the producers.
Die Fledermaus is an operetta, with spoken dialogue in between the musical numbers. The story careens from the French-style farce of the first act to the second which takes place at a party hosted by the callow and perpetually bored Prince Orlovsky. The wild night ends up in prison (with a funny jailer) in the third act.
The production has a glittering cast with Ronald Samm as the Baron von Eisenstein, Natalia Dopwell as his wife Rosalinde and Ayrice Wilson, their clever maid Adele and Raguel Gabriel as Alfred, Rosalinde's clandestine lover; Danielle Williams is the consummate party host, Prince Orlofsky; Marvin Smith, Shellon Antoine, Edward Cumberbatch and stage director, Dr Helmer Hilwig makes his debut with the YAC in the non-singing role of Frosch, the jailer.
The Young Artist Collective of the CMDFTT are very pleased to have with them London based tenor, Ronald Samm with them to put the final touches on Die Fledermaus which has been in rehearsals with music director, June Nathaniel for the past five months and stage director Dr Helmer Hilwig for the past two months.
Costumed by designer Margaret Sheppard, with stage design by Arielle Rostant and lighting design by Celia Wells, this Fledermaus is a particularly handsome show, with a team of attractive, energetic performers on hand to inhabit the giddy world of Rosalinde and Gabriel von Eisenstein.
The CMDFTT promises that from the cozy domesticity of the Eisenstein household in Act I, to the highly chatty debauchery at Prince Orlofsky's villa in Act II; on to the Act III prison scene, it is all rich, fun entertainment.
�2 Tickets are available at The Gallery, Long Circular Mall; Knowledge Zone, Westmall and at the Queens Hall Box Office from Noon to 6 pm.
For reserved seating or further information, please call Annette at 632-2548 or 472-3157 or email CMDFTT at classicalmusictt@gmail.com