by Johann Strauss II
presented by Duchy Opera
score by permission of ETO and English translation by Bill Bankes-Jones
A light hearted mischievous revenge is planned by Dr Falke on his friend Eisenstein, for having been ridiculed some years previously when Eisenstein, as a practical joke, abandoned him in the town centre very drunk and wearing a costume party bat outfit. Falke invites Eisenstein to a ball being held by Prince Orlofsky and, telling his wife Rosalinda he must start an 8 day prison term, secretly decides to postpone this and attend the opulent ball. Unbeknown to him Falke has also sent separate invites to Rosalind, their maid Adele and Frank, the prison governor.
Add to the mix the return of Alfred, Rosalinda's ex-lover, and you have a champagne filled night full of disguises, mistaken identities and infidelities - will all be forgiven and the status quo restored?
Our lavishly costumed, joyful production features an abundance of local talent with Adele’s Laughing Song and the Champagne Song among the well known arias from this popular comic 3 act operetta that first premiered in 1874.
About Duchy Opera
Since its debut in 1977 Duchy Opera built up a reputation as one of the finest regional semi-professional opera companies in the UK and continue to perform an annual full length, costumed opera with orchestra. Whenever possible Duchy Opera uses Cornwall based performers, musicians, designers and technicians. Its members come from across the county from Launceston to Penzance.