Die Fledermaus

Die Fledermaus

1984 · 177 min · ★ 8.2 · Comedy, Music

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.

Directed by Humphrey Burton

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Cast

Kiri Te Kanawa Rosalinda
Hermann Prey Gabriel von Eisenstein
Dennis O'Neill Alfred
Hildegard Heichele Adele
Paul Crook Dr. Blind
Benjamin Luxon Dr. Falke
Michael Langdon Colonel Frank
Ingrid Baier Ida
Doris Soffel Prince Orlofsky
Richard Hazell Ivan
Josef Meinrad Frosch
Patrick Fyffe Dame Hilda Bracket

Make it a double feature

5h 42m together

Die Fledermaus

Candide

Both from Humphrey Burton.

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