UST’s ‘Fledermaus’ is first 2008 CCP opera production
Mistaken identities. Marital infidelity. Deceit. These are the themes that go into Die Fledermaus, the popular operetta by the waltz king Johann Strauss II, which is being presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music at the CCP Main Theater (Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo) on Jan. 18, 19, 25, and 26 at 8 p.m., and on Jan. 19 and 26 at 3 p.m.
The operetta follows the successful staging last year by the UST Conservatory of Music of Tchaikovsky’s lyrical drama Eugene Onegin.
Theater director Floy Quintos says the original story was set in fin de siecle Vienna. For this production, he has advanced the action to the Weimar Republic, the period before the rise of Nazism in Europe. “The world is about to change as they know it,” he says.
He also emphasizes the vaudeville aspects of the operetta, considering that it deals deceit, infidelity and the good life. “We are making things more slapstick,” Quintos adds. “The comedy is broad, and the humor is risqué.”
Premiered in Vienna in 1874, Die Fledermaus remains Strauss’ most celebrated and well-loved operetta with its melodious and exuberant music. This tale of mistaken identities, flirtations at a masked ball, elegant frivolities, and confusion of all kinds provide a hilarious vehicle for some of the most captivating the composer ever wrote. Since its premier, the operetta has entered the repertory of many world opera houses. The UST production uses an English translation.
UST Conservatory Dean Raul Sunico says the choice of an operetta wasn’t intentional. Compared to the Tchaikovsky opera, with its more serious theme and sumptuous production, the Strauss operetta is a lightweight comedy and filled with tunes.
“After the good reviews we received last year for Onegin, we couldn’t just mount a dressed-down production,” he says.
The Onegin production cost P6.5 million to mount. However, Dean Sunico says it was not a problem for UST to prepare the production because it had the manpower to mount it: an orchestra, a complement of singers, and a choir.
The Fledermaus show has a P5 million budget. “With this figure, we will give you a world-class production,” he adds.
CCP president Nestor O. Jardin says the CCP is mounting a number of opera because there is a growing interest in opera in the country.
“Opera has a growing audience,” Jardin says. “The few operas presented by the CCP had some audience. We believe it is getting to be a popular art form.”
By mounting a handful of opera productions each year, Jardin explains that the CCP hopes to create an opera going audience in the country. He adds that the CCP hopes to have an opera season within the next 10 years.
Following Die Fledermaus, the CCP will be presenting a twinbill of Puccini’s Suor Angelica and Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana in April, and Puccini’s La Bohème in October.
Die Fledermaus has three casts, including Rachelle Gerodias, Nenen Espina, Thea Perez, Naomi Paz Sison, Armela Fortuna, Patrice Pacis, Rexceluz Evangelista, Monalisa Padilla, Florence Aguilar, Ferleoni Medina, Ronan Ferrer, Randy Gilongo, Abdul Candao, Eugene de los Santos, Jun Francis Jaranilla, Noel Azcona, Jose Exequiel Vale III, Nohmer Noval, Cristoval Tan, and Ronnie Abarquez.
Herminigildo Ranera and Korean conductor Jae Joon Lee conduct the UST Symphony Orchestra. The artistic staff includes Floy Quintos as stage director, Monino Duque as lighting designer, and Eric Cruz as set designer.
For ticket reservation and inquiries, call the CCP Music Division at 832-1125 local 1604, the UST Conservatory of Music at 731-4022, or Ticketworld at 891-9999.
