Die Fledermaus

The story

Most opera houses ring in the New Year with Johann Strauss Jr.'s most popular operetta--the festiveness of which is appropriate for the occasion--and this December 31, 1983, Covent Garden performance follows suit. An exceptional cast--led by Hermann Prey and Kiri Te Kanawa as the couple whose marriage survives the comic indiscretions of three long acts--obviously has as much fun as the audience. Plácido Domingo leads the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House through its paces with panache. Prince Orlofsky's Act II party is always a splendid opportunity to pull out all the stops with surprise "guests," and this performance makes the most of its chance: entering the proceedings to sing one of his tailor-made chansons, "She," is French crooner Charles Aznavour, who is followed by dancers Merle Park and Wayne Eagling, their delightful pas de deux flashily choreographed by Sir Frederick Ashton.

Cast

K Kiri Te KanawaRosalinda H Hermann PreyGabriel von Eisenstein D Dennis O'NeillAlfred H Hildegard HeicheleAdele P Paul CrookDr. Blind B Benjamin LuxonDr. Falke M Michael LangdonColonel Frank I Ingrid BaierIda D Doris SoffelPrince Orlofsky R Richard HazellIvan J Josef MeinradFrosch P Patrick FyffeDame Hilda Bracket

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G George LoganDr Evadne Hinge C Charles AznavourPrince Orlofsky's Guest P Plácido DomingoConductor O Orchestra of the Royal Opera House