A new and edgy look for Die Fledermaus at Edmonton Opera season opener

Article content

Latex, clubwear, and an underground dance hall change things up with an updated look for a classic operetta to open this year’s Edmonton Opera season.

Die Fledermaus, the story of mistaken identities, practical jokes, and high-society parties written by Johann Strauss, will be a bit different from the traditional opera that premiered almost exactly 150 years ago. Audiences will find something a little edgier, and more modern when they step into the world of Viennese high society at the Jubilee Auditorium Nov. 7, 9, and 12, but still with the great music they love.

Article content

“We thought we would get something that has wonderful melodies, great tunes, and a bit of comedy and joy,” says Joel Ivany, the artistic director of Edmonton Opera who is also taking over as the stage director for Die Fledermaus.

Ivany has taken the show in a more modern direction, setting the operetta as a play within a play and giving some of the scenes a new spin. In this new rendition, a local theatre company is putting together a production of Die Fledermaus with no money and no time, and actors who may not have the best chemistry.

“Rosalinde and Eisenstein are in the show and cheat on each other, but in (the meta performance) these actors have just broken up and don’t want to be near each other,” says Ivany.

In Straus’s original, Gabriel von Eisenstein has been sentenced to eight days in prison for insulting an official. Before he heads off to serve his sentence, both he and his wife Rosalinde are invited to a fancy party put on by Eisenstein’s friend Falke.

Eisenstein had abandoned Falke dressed as a bat (hence the show’s name, which is ‘bat’ in German) in the center of town after a recent costume party, leaving him to be ridiculed. Now, Falke is going to get back at Eisenstein and embarrass him. There are mistaken identities, unfaithful spouses, and a whole series of amazing musical numbers.

Article content

Article content

“It brings to light that we are all a little messed up and our human nature gets us in trouble,” said Jonelle Sills, who plays Rosalinde. “I feel like, it’s either I’m glad I’m not them or you see yourselves in them. I think that’s why these stories are still being told. It was written in the 1800s but we are still able to find the relevance.”

That relevance includes some updates on this performance. The songs are performed in German while all dialogue will be spoken in English. There’s also an updated setting for the operetta’s second act.

What’s normally a large ball scene, with massive gowns and the trappings of high society, has been relocated to an underground club. Fetishwear and fishnets abound, replacing the normally stuffy upper-class ballgowns and amazing formalwear audiences might be familiar with.

“I think for people who are more traditional, it might be a jump scare,” says Sills. “But the music is still there, the beauty of the sound is still there.”

It’s an edgy and new direction from a director known for playing with traditional opera, making something new out of the classical repertoire. The second act especially, goes for such a big change with the Berlin underground setting. But the cast is quick to point out that the music is still there, still the same tunes they love, especially in the changed second act.

Article content

“Musically, it’s where the least changed. There’s a few cuts to save for time in a few of the numbers, but it flows through in a fairly common sense,” says Connor Hoppenbrouwers, who plays Frank, the prison governor. “I think there’s a time for the classics, the big ball gowns and Viennese ballroom, but this is a fun take that really modernizes it.”

Hoppenbrouwers is one of four of the principal cast members who call Edmonton home, and a cast that leans heavily on Canadian talent. He is also one of Edmonton Opera’s Emerging Artists for this year, an up-and-coming Baritone making his debut in the principal cast with the opera.

He grew up in St. Albert and attended the University of Alberta, graduating in 2020 with a bachelor of music while majoring in voice performance, then went to the University of British Columbia to finish his master’s in 2022.

During his undergrad, he performed in two Edmonton Opera shows, La Traviata and Rigolette, both in the chorus. Now he’s stepping into his own on the main stage.

“I feel like it’s a bit of a homecoming for me,” says Hoppenbrouwers. “It’s such an incredible opportunity to be here in Edmonton’s emerging artist program.”

Article content

Die Fledermaus

When: Nov. 7, 9 and 12

Where: Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 11455 87 Ave.

Tickets: Starting at $49

Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don’t miss the news you need to know — add EdmontonJournal.com and EdmontonSun.com to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here.

You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton Sun.

Article content