New troupe takes flight with
'Fledermaus'
By James F. Cotter
For the Times
Herald-Record
Blooming Grove – Under the direction of Claudia Cummings, the Opera Company of
the Highlands is presenting the waltz-king Johann Strauss' comic opera "Die
Fledermaus" ("The Bat") on the next two weekends. The title refers to an
elaborate plan that involves a masquerade party. This allows Strauss to be at
his musical best with delightful arias, duets, trios and choral singing to waltz
and polka tunes. This production skips the dancing, but the highlighted singing
makes the score pure listening pleasure. The voices and acting are first-rate,
and Kathryn Luciana's costume designs are visually splendid.
Friday night's opening performance at the United Church of Christ in Blooming
Grove featured soprano Julie Ziavras in the role of Rosalinda, soprano Sarah Rice as her servant Adele and tenor Michael Torpey as her husband, Eisenstein.
These three singers will alternate in subsequent performances
with Suzanne Clune as Rosalinda, Joanna McIntire as Adele and Osvaldo Cicchetti
as Eisenstein. The purpose of double-casting enables Cummings to give more
singers stage time since they also sing in the chorus and in solos when not
acting as leads.
Another twist to traditional casting is to have the part
of Prince Orlofsky, usually sung by a female mezzo-soprano, sung by countertenor
Thomas Mark Fallon.
Tenor David Pietri sings the role of Rosalinda's
would-be lover Alfred, who ends up in jail instead of Eisenstein. Baritone Brian
Jagde is Dr. Falke, who plots revenge on his friend Eisenstein. Baritone Jeremy
Moore is Dr. Blind, Eisenstein's incompetent lawyer.
Baritone Joseph
Schommer is Frank, the prison warden. Soprano Sarah Levine Simon is Sally, and
soprano Kathy Lawrence is her cousin Suzie. The show is enhanced by the vigorous
accompaniment of Lillie Mikesell and Joel Flowers on piano.
Some of the
Strauss trios match Mozart for their wit and excitement. Rosalinda, Eisenstein
and Blind team up for a rousing satire on lawyers in Act 1, and the feuding
couple join Adele and later Alfred for another pair of lively
trios.
Rosalinda and Eisenstein whirl through a word-chiming duet, "How
engaging, how exciting," and Rosalinda sings a marvelous aria, "Voice of my
homeland." Adele has several charming solos as well.
Ziavras uses her rich soprano to soar in the high ranges and fill the scenes
with drama as Torpey's expressive tenor creates a sonorous exchange. Rice's Adele is clear-voiced and vivacious. Jagde's baritone adds authority as Falke manipulates the plot, while Schommer tunes his baritone to the intonations of a tipsy drinker. The outstanding voice of the show, however, belongs to Fallon, whose countertenor leaps octaves and rings with color and humor as he announces, "From time to time I entertain."
When these voices join in the ensemble finale celebrating
champagne, the music bubbles with high spirits and sparkles with delight.
http://www.recordonline.com/archive/2005/10/25/fleder25.htm