Preview: Die Fledermaus at Durham Gala Theatre

Die Fledermaus

Durham Opera Ensemble

Durham Gala Theatre

Friday 22^nd to Saturday 23^rd February 2019

It is New Year’s Eve, Gabriel von Eisenstein is being forced to go to jail for punching a police officer. However, after receiving an invitation to Prince Orlofsky’s extravagant ball he decides to push back his jail sentence for one more evening of fun. Eisenstein tells his wife, Rosalinde, that he is off to jail that evening when really he is going to the party with his friend Falke. Yet Rosalinde does not fall for his lies and follows him to the ball in disguise as a Hungarian countess. Their maid, Adele, also feigns an excuse be released from work that night so that she can go to the party, disguised as a Russian actress named Olga.

Full of mystery, mayhem and mistaken identity, this is one grand ball that you don't want to miss. Set in the late 19th century and performed in English, this opera is perfect for newcomers to the genre as well as seasoned opera-enthusiasts.

Part of the Durham Opera Ensemble's mission statement is to make opera as accessible to as many people as possible. They are therefore performing the show in English and using an amateur score (which involves much more of the chorus). The show also features plenty of spoken dialogue to help the audience understand the narrative. The production is being performed in late 19th century costume with professional set which should look beautiful in the Gala Theatre.

They are also working with the Tyne Opera House on an outreach project with local Newcastle schools, as they believe that this would be an excellent opportunity to get their name further into the Newcastle areas so that as many people are aware of what we are doing around our shows in order to promote opera to young people. They also perform regularly in care homes for the elderly, have worked with adults with learning disabilities at Pelton and have sung on numerous occasions in Frankland Prison.

Tickets:
Performances run from Friday 22nd February to Saturday 23rd February at 7.30pm, with a matinee on Saturday 23rd at 1.30pm.
Tickets are available from the Gala Durham Box Office, Tel: 03000 266 600, or online at: https://www.galadurham.co.uk/galapost/die-fledermaus/