The Georgia State University School of Music, Opera Club and Symphony Orchestra present
DIE FLEDERMAUS
Liberetto by Karl Haffner & Richard Genée
Translation by Ruth & Thomas Martin
Dialogue translation by Andreas Peschke
Kathryn Hartgrove
Artistic Director and Stage Director
Clinton Smith
Music Director and Conductor by Johann Strauss II
f Scan for bios and an interactive program experience!
Saturday, April 12, 2024 | 7:00 PM
Sunday, April 13, 2024 | 3:00 PM
Rialto Center for the Arts
A number of years ago—well, too many to mention—I was cast in the chorus of Die Fledermaus, my first opera. This extraordinary work by Johann Strauss II is one of the most beloved Viennese operettas ever written. After experiencing its captivating melodies and irresistible humor, I was completely smitten by the opera bug. The mistaken identities, unforgettable liaisons, and, of course, the music swept me into a career filled with excitement and discovery, and I have never looked back.
As I considered opera choices for this year, Die Fledermaus kept resurfacing in both my mind and heart. I wanted the incredible voice students at Georgia State University’s School of Music to experience what I had felt many, many years ago. With such immense talent among them, I knew this production had the potential to be something truly special—so here we are.
I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our wonderful alumnus, Demetrious Sampson, Jr., for joining us on stage for this production. He has taken time away from his rehearsals at Houston Grand Opera to return and perform with us this weekend, and we are incredibly grateful for his generosity.
A special thank you also goes to our fearless music director and conductor, Clinton Smith, for his dedication and hard work on this production. His deep knowledge of the repertoire, skill at the piano, and leadership from the podium have been exemplary. Next year, he embarks on new and exciting ventures, and he will be sorely missed.
I would also like to recognize Liana Pearlman, Rae Laury, and the Die Fledermaus chorus for their commitment, time, and effort in making this production so memorable for both the cast and me. Your selflessness and dedication have been a true gift.
I know you will enjoy every moment of this timeless treasure. Johann Strauss II, famously known as the “Waltz King,” ensured that one of his most celebrated waltzes was included in this delightful operetta. As a fun addition, each of you should have received a champagne glass—we invite you to take part in the celebration! When we toast champagne on stage, we encourage you to join in. Listen for Prince Orlofsky’s cue—when prompted in the music, stand up and raise your glasses. Your participation will make this an unforgettable experience for our students.
Here’s a toast to each and every one of you!
Kathryn Hartgrove Interim GSU Opera Director
Program
ACT I
No. 1 Introduction
Alfred/ Adel
No. 2 Trio
Eisenstein, Rosalinda, Dr. Blind
No. 3 Duet
Falke, Eisenstein
No. 4 Trio
Rosalinda, Eisenstein, Adele
No. 5 Finale
Alfred, Rosalinda, Frank
ACT II
No. 6 Introduction
Ensemble
No. 7 Aria
Prince Orlofsky
No. 8 Ensemble and Couplet
Orlofsky, Falke, Adele, Eisenstein
No. 9 Watch Duet
Eisenstein, Rosalinda
No. 10 Czardas
Rosalinda
No. 11 Finale
Full Ensemble
- Intermission -
ACT III No. 12 Entr’acte
No. 13 Melodrama
No. 14 Couplets
Adele, Ida, Frank No. 15
Rosalinda
Synopsis
ACT I
It is a far-off land in the late 1800’s. Outside in the street, Alfred serenades his former lover, Rosalinde, who is now married to Gabriel von Eisenstein. Adele, Rosalinde’s chambermaid, has just received a letter from “her sister” inviting her to Prince Orlovsky’s ball. She concocts a scheme to get the night off and tells her mistress she must visit a sick aunt, but Rosalinde refuses to let her go. As Adele runs to her room sobbing, Alfred appears and declares his love to Rosalinde. She resists until he begins to sing. She hears someone coming, and sends Alfred away, but not before he has convinced her to let him return later. Eisenstein and his lawyer, Blind, arrive from a session in court: Eisenstein’s sentence has gone from five to eight days in jail for striking a police officer and must begin his term that very night. He throws Dr. Blind out of the house. His friend Falke pays the family a visit and urges Eisenstein to delay going to jail until morning so he can join him at Prince Orlofsky’s ball. Falke tells Eisenstein to bring along his infamous pocket watch to charm the ladies. While Eisenstein runs offstage to change into his “prison attire”. When he returns, Adele joins the couple in a bittersweet farewell as her husband heads off to “prison.” Rosalinda must now deal with Alfred, so she tells Adele to go see her “aunt”. Alfred glides in, puts on Eisenstein’s robe and nightcap and begins to woo Rosalinda. Their rendezvous is interrupted by the prison warden Frank, who has come to arrest Eisenstein. Rosalinde persuades Alfred to preserve her good name by posing as her husband, and Frank carts Alfred off to jail. music.gsu.edu
Stage Director Kathryn Hartgrove
Chorus & Music Director Clinton Smith
Assistant conductors
House Stage Manager
Stephanie Morera & Garrett Clay
Nathan Brown
Production Manager Michael Williams
Chorus Maestras Liana Pearlman & Rae Laury
Projection Design
Lighting Engineer
Daniel Solberg
Lindsey McCall
Lighting Design John Williams/Rubicon Studios
Sound Engineer Johnathan Taylor
Stage Hands
Trey Golden, Cade Nabors, Bryan Feeney & Tony Reid
Set & Props The Atlanta Opera
Set Coordinator
Woody DePew
Choreographer Grace Ford
Rehearsal Pianist
Liubov Shrivastava
Costumes Norcostco, Inc.
Costume Coordinator
Wigs & Makeup
Kathryn Hatrgrove
Melanie Steele
Repetiteur Luiba Khakhalina
Supertitles DiJean Horton
Stage Manager David Rambo Serrano
Chester B. Phillips, Dean (College of the Arts)
Stuart Gerber, Interim Director (GSU School of Music)
GSU SCHOOL OF MUSIC STAFF
Kaylee Bramlett, Public Relations Coordinator
Cole Hankins, Production Manager
Thomas “TC” McConnell, Business Manager
Justin Kalin, Academic Specialist
Ansley Usery, Recruitment & Admissions
GSU VOICE FACULTY
Rick Clements
Kathryn Hartgrove
Talise Trevigne
Maria McDaniel
Andrew Ryker
GSU UNIVERSITY OPERA
CLUB
President/ Publicity Isabella Chaney
Vice President Madison Chambers
Treasurer/ Publicity
Front of House
Maxwell Clements
TyRese Floyd
Alexander Harshaw
Blair Lipham
Kathryn Ruff Acknowledgements