Jan 21 & 24, 2012 @ 7:30pm

Germantown Performing Arts Centre 

Opera Memphis begins 2012 at the Germantown Performing Arts Centre with an intimate production of Johann Strauss’ comic operetta DIE FLEDERMAUS. Last performed by the company in 1995, the production marks the return of Opera Memphis favorites and the introduction of world renowned artists new to the company.

Grammy-nominated soprano Caroline Worra, who performed the role of Marguerite in the 2009 production of FAUST and the title role of THE MERRY WIDOW in 2005, takes the stage as Rosalinde. Tenor Ryan MacPherson, seen on the Opera Memphis stage as the Duke in RIGOLETTO in 2006 and as Don Jose in CARMEN in 2007, returns to the company as Alfred.

The role of Eisenstein will be sung by tenor Dominic Armstrong, Grand Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera’s 2008 National Council Auditions. In the 2009-2010 season, Armstrong made his European debut with the Wexford Opera Festival, Deutsch Oper Berlin and Opera Regio Torino, and in 2010, he made his New York City Opera premiere in Leonard Bernstein’s rarely performed A QUIET PLACE. Baritone David Kravitz makes his Opera Memphis debut as Falke. In 2010-2011, Kravitz made his New York City Opera debut in Strauss's INTERMEZZO and his European debut at Monte Carlo's Salle Garnier in the world premiere of Tod Machover's DEATH AND THE POWERS, which subsequently traveled to Chicago Opera Theater and the American Repertory Theater. The role of Adele will be performed by soprano Elizabeth Reiter, a young singer chosen by Maestro James Levine to sing the role of Zerlina (DON GIOVANNI) at the Tanglewood Music Center. Her 2010-2011 engagements include the title role of THE CUNNING LITTLE VIXEN with Opera Company of Philadelphia and Curtis Opera Theatre as well as a recital at Carnegie Hall as part of the Liederkranz Foundation Competition Winners Concert.

Opera Memphis’ recently named General Director Ned Canty makes his Opera Memphis stage direction debut. With credits from companies such as Glimmerglass Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Santa Fe Opera and New York City Opera, his direction has been described by the New York Times as having “a startling combination of sensitivity and panache.” Canty served as Festival Director of the New York Television Festival beginning in 2005, helping the organization grow into a nationally recognized forum for the discovery of new television talent, as well as a leader in the exploration of digital and new media storytelling. Conductor Steven Osgood, who has worked with many of North America’s premiere opera companies, including the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, Canadian Opera Company, and San Francisco Opera, also makes his Opera Memphis debut. In addition to his conducting credits, Osgood served as Artistic Director of American Opera Projects from 2001-2008.

In the Vienna of the late 19th century, Rosalinde's husband Gabriel von Eisenstein is sentenced to a prison term for a minor offense. Rosalinde's “voice teacher” Alfred is ready to take advantage of her husband's absence. Adele, their maid, wants to attend Prince Orlofsky’s party. Dr. Falke, as part of an elaborate scheme to exact revenge on Eisentein for leaving him drunk in the town square wearing a bat costume, arranges for all of them to attend the party, and ensures that matters get complicated. Performed in English.