Movie spotlight
Die Fledermaus
After the Viennese premiere, the Fledermaus (the bat) conquered the world. It is one of the few operettas that are regularly performed at the major opera houses such as the Metropolitan Opera, the Scala Milan, the Vienna State Opera and the Royal Opera House Convent Garden in London. John Cox directed this lavishly equipped production by Julia Trevelyan Oman initially in London in 1977. On New Year's Eve 1990, this staging offered the luxurious ambiance for the farewell to Joan Sutherland from her London audience. The singer had admired them since her first great success at this prestigious opera house in the fifties. The rushing feast in the second act reached its climax with its stormy cheered performance and the commitment of her friends and colleagues Luciano Pavarotti and Marilyn Horne, with whom she often stood together on the stage.
Insights
Plot Summary
The operetta follows the wealthy Gabriel von Eisenstein, who is sentenced to prison for insulting a court official. He is tricked by his friend, Prince Orlofsky, into attending a lavish ball where he flirts with his disguised wife, Rosalinde, and his disguised maid, Adele. Amidst the revelry and mistaken identities, secrets are revealed, and comical situations ensue, ultimately leading to a reconciliation and a lesson learned.
Critical Reception
This 1990 production of Johann Strauss II's beloved operetta, directed by Otto Schenk, was a lavish spectacle featuring a star-studded cast. While visually impressive and musically competent, some critics found the staging to be overly traditional and lacking in dramatic urgency compared to other interpretations. However, the performances of the principal singers were generally praised for their vocal prowess and charm.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its high production values and the vocal talents of its leads.
Noted for its traditional, sometimes perceived as staid, directorial approach.
Considered a faithful, if not groundbreaking, rendition of the classic operetta.
Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews for this particular 1990 film adaptation is not readily available.
Fun Fact
The role of Prince Orlofsky is traditionally sung by a mezzo-soprano, regardless of the Prince's gender in the libretto, a tradition upheld in many productions, including this one.
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