Walking into de Jong Concert Hall this weekend will be like walking into late 19th century Vienna when Brigham Young University’s school of music presents Johann Strauss’ sparkling 1874 operetta Die Fledermaus. The production starts Oct. 19, with additional performances Oct. 22-26.
“I’m looking forward to it,” said conductor Kory Katseanes, who likened Die Fledermaus to some delightful confectionary treat. “It’s like getting a bar of Swiss chocolate from Siegfried’s Deli,” he said, referring to the Salt Lake City landmark.
This will be the first time since 2006 that BYU has staged Die Fledermaus and Katseanes is ready to do it again. “What I love about Strauss is the lyrical quality of his waltzes. He wrote so many of them and they’re all so different.” In that regard, Katseanes compared Strauss to Joseph Haydn. “He’s just like Haydn. He wrote 104 symphonies and no two are alike. The same is true with Strauss. His waltzes are all different.” And that’s one of the things Katseanes appreciates about Strauss. “I like him for his melodicism. He’s one of the great melodists in history.”
"Die Fledermaus" Ensemble (Photo: Courtesy BYU)
Die Fledermaus will be sung in German with English supertitles. The dialogue will be in English. Katseanes acknowledged that singing in German can be difficult for students, more so than Italian or French, but Lawrence Vincent’s professional experience has been invaluable. Vincent, who runs the opera program at BYU, spent the majority of his professional opera career singing in Vienna. “He’s very good with this opera,” Katseanes said. “He’s good with the kids, helping them with their enunciation and their acting.”
The show is double cast. Singing Rosalinde on Oct. 23 and 25 is Rebecca Pedersen, who was one of this year’s winners of the Metropolitan Opera National Auditions. “She’s impressive,” Katseanes said. “It’s amazing how quickly she has become stage savvy. She has chops.”
Singing Rosalinde the other nights is Whitney Hamblin. The rest of the cast includes Mark Ammons and Kevin Shuwer (Eisenstein); Davis Hansen and Ben Kramer (Dr. Falke); Geneil Perkins and Elise Read (Prince Orlofsky); and Andrew Neumeyer and Zachery Wetzel (Frank).
“The whole cast is doing a fine job,” Katseanes said.
The members of the BYU Philharmonic who will be playing are having a good time with the music. “The orchestra is enjoying it for three reasons – it’s fairly short; it’s not that hard; and it has spoken recitatives.” They’ve also gotten into the swing of the music, Katseanes added. “They smile and bob and weave to the music.”
- PERFORMANCE DETAILS
- What: Die Fledermaus
- Venue: de Jong Concert Hall, Harris Fine Arts Center, Brigham Young University
- Time and Date: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19 and 22 (previews), 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23-26
- Tickets: $15 general, $14 seniors and BYU alumni, $12 students (weekends), $11 (weekdays), $10 (previews)
- Phone: 801-422-2981
- Web: www.byuarts.com/tickets
- ALSO: The Ingredients of Opera, one hour matinee for families, de Jong Concert Hall, 11 a.m., Oct. 19, free.