Come and
see the Asheville Lyric Opera's adaptation of Die Fledermaus, coming
October 2014!
Adapted to reflect the cultural aristocracy of the Southern
Appalachian Mountains at the turn of the century, the opera’s famous second act
is set during a party at the “Giltmore” (the home of the famous
“Vanderburgs”). Asheville is known for
having stories of famous families (the Vanderbilts) and international artists
(Enrico Caruso) visiting and attending spectacular events at famous locations
(the Grove Park Inn). These historic
events have inspired our opera’s artistic staff in a new adaptation melding it
with all the wonderful color of mountain history. ALO has conducted research on the history of
Western North Carolina at the turn of the century to ensure our audience will
get a vision and feel of what the culture was like. Copious toasts will be made as the evening,
full of romantic comedy, unfolds the elegance of the era.
The setting
of our version of Die Fledermaus, occurring
in 1913, draws inspiration from a couple of local historic New Years Eve
parties that took place in the early 1900s.
Guests invited to these parties included the movers and shakers of New
York, Boston, and the European aristocracies.
Guests invited to the New Years Eve party in our adaptation will include
Counts, tycoons of industry, and military heroes reflecting what was going on
nationally and internationally at the time. Befitting the gracious etiquette of the
upper-class, guests were treated as if the homes of the aristocracy were their
very own. Each party was made grand with
entertainment from artists, dancers, and musicians. History tells us that one
local party hosted the Russian cabaret and
theatrical troupe, La Chauve-Souris. How fitting for our story that this is the
French term for “Die Fledermaus” – “the bat”!
The music of Eastern Europe will be heard in Act II in the famous
“Czardas” performed by the role of Rosalinda.
Basing this cultural adaptation on historical research, Director Jon Truitt has rewritten the libretto in English in order to capture all the glamour and opulence of these lavish, upper-class parties in ALO’s Die Fledermaus. Asheville Lyric Opera is thrilled to offer audiences of Western North Carolina a glimpse of the history of this region through a classic, operetta production.
PERFORMANCE DATES WITH SUNDAY MATINEE
Friday, October 3, 2014, 8pm AND Sunday,
October 5, 2014 Matinee at 3pm
Diana Wortham Theatre, Asheville, NC
Tickets are on sale now at the theater box office: 828-257-4530, or online at www.ashevillelyric.org.
For schools and community groups, tickets to the Die Fledermaus: An Appalachian Party October 1, 2014 Preview Dress Rehearsal at 7pm are available only through the Asheville Lyric Opera office.
Call ALO at 828-236-0670 to make your
reservations.
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