West Chester University’s Opera Theatre will stage Johann Strauss Jr.’s Die Fledermaus on Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9 at 7:30 PM in the Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall, located in Philips Memorial Building on 700 South High Street.

Tickets are available here.

Director of Opera Nicholas Provenzale directs the operetta, in an adaptation by Richard Kagey.

Die Fledermaus is a comic operetta with a sparkling score. It has been delighting audiences since its 1874 premiere in Vienna. Performed here in English, Die Fledermaus is a comic tale of revenge, mistaken identity, a masked ball, and perhaps, too much champagne.

Two casts of students will perform the opera, accompanied by the Wells School of Music’s Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra, both directed by Joseph Caminiti.

Provenzale said, “I am quite familiar with this score and adaptation. I performed it as a younger opera student, and I also did a recording of it. I love this score and find that the vocal demands are appropriate for younger singers. Because Die Fledermaus is an operetta with dialogue, our casts have had to hone their comedic timing skills, and also do a little dancing. It’s a fun challenge for them.”

Sidney Szwarc, who plays Rosalinda, said, “Die Fledermaus has been so much fun to put together. The opera is a comedy in English so, as you can imagine, rehearsing with the cast has resulted in non-stop laughs. I think the same will be true for the audience when they come and see it. We are all beyond excited that this production is coming together with the talents of a full orchestra and we are making this opera as grand and hilarious as it can be.”