DIE FLEDERMAUS

Composer - Johann Strauss II Libretto by Karl Haffner and Richard Genée Premiered 1874 in Vienna Dialogue Adapted By Mark Crawford DATES October 26 – November 3, 2024 VENUE Queen Elizabeth Theatre Vancouver, BC RUNNING TIME Approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes, including one intermission. Join the party: Strauss’ most-beloved operetta kicks off a celebratory 65th anniversary with laughter and mischief. With a title that translates to “The Bat” (sometimes even presented as “The Revenge of the Bat”), you’d be forgiven for expecting some ominous dark fluttering while gravel-strafed voices say intense things indecipherably. But with its huge chorus, boisterous party scene, and rousing songs like “King Champagne”, Strauss’ beloved operetta absolutely radiates charm, wit, and good-natured mischief! An audience favourite since its 1874 premiere, Die Fledermaus remains the most-performed operetta in the world for good reason. This vaudeville and farce-inspired comedy masterwork revels in effervescent odes to drinking, dancing, dining, laughing, and, well, more drinking, while a madcap plot pinballs through masquerade and mistaken identities, romantic dalliances, pranks and payback. Ashlie Corcoran returns to direct her second Vancouver Opera season opener in a row, having helmed the fantastical Magic Flute in 2023, while the high-spirited score is conducted by Vancouver Opera Music Director Jacques Lacombe. (Sharp-eyed audience members might recognize some special guests during the gala scene...but we’ll say no more for now!)

Dialogue Adaptation Mark Crawford Assistant Director Tayte Mitchell Choreographer Shelley Stewart Hunt Intimacy Director Lisa Goebel Set Designer Julie Lévesque Costume Designer Émily Wahlman Lighting Design Gerald King Assistant Lighting Designer Jamie Sweeney Design Consultant Kevin McAllister

Associate Conductor/Chorus Director Leslie Dala Associate Chorus Director/Principal Répétiteur Tina Chang Répétiteur Perri Lo Derek Stanyer English SurTitles™ Sarah Jane Pelzer Stage Manager Michelle Harrison Assistant Stage Managers Emma Hammond Katie Schmidt Apprentice Stage Manager Elsa Orme