The Irish National Opera (INO) is set to bring Johann Strauss’s beloved operetta, Die Fledermaus, to audiences across Ireland in a dazzling new production.
Celebrated for its lively waltzes, playful humour, and timeless Viennese melodies, this spectacular performance comes to the Lime Tree Theatre, where INO has been a cherished presence for over a decade. Audiences will be especially thrilled to see our own Sarah Shine in the role of Adele, bringing her exceptional talent and charm to this vibrant production.
Limerick Post chatted with Limerick soprano Sarah Shine during final dress rehearsals before opening night. Rehearsals are underway in Kerry as Sarah prepares for another 10-12 hour day in Tralee before opening night in Siamsa Tíre Theatre.
“We spent yesterday, today, tomorrow and Friday on a dress rehearsal, and then we will open the show. So it’s a very quick turnaround, but it’s great. It’s fantastic. Everyone is wonderful. So we’re having lots of fun anyway.”
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Set against the opulent backdrop of Count Orlofsky’s glamorous masked ball, Die Fledermaus follows a night of mistaken identities, flirtation, and wild revelry. Eisenstein, his wife Rosalinde, and their cunning maid Adele find themselves entangled in a whirlwind of deception and comedic chaos, all set to Strauss’s exhilarating score.
Sarah has played the role of Adele in this opera before, praised by Bachtrack for her “rock-solid vocal agility, crowned by sparkling highs.”
So who is Adele in this story?
“So Adele is the maid working in the home of Gabriel von Eisenstein, which is our lead tenor, which is Alex McKissick, and his wife, Rosalinda. And she basically doesn’t like her job. She wants to be a superstar, a glamorous chorus girl like her sister, who is working as a very glamorous nightclub dancer
“Adele gets a letter from her sister to come and join her at a huge party. So she decides to basically be sneaky and create a plan saying that her aunt is very sick, is on her death bed, and can she be excused because she needs to go and visit her auntie. So basically, Adele is a sneaky little character, but in a very fun way, she’s trying to trick everybody, so eventually she’ll get to the party.
“But Adele doesn’t know that both of her employers Rosalinda and Eisenstein are also at the party, so she spends the evening trying to hide from them in disguise.”
The opera under the direction of Davey Kelleher promises a fresh, intimate take on this operatic classic.
Sarah, having played the role in a previous production in Paris says that the first production had more of a darker edge to it.
“Its my first time working with Davey Kelleher, he has been fantastic. Davey has really laid out a show with such humour and such fantastic timing, adding in loads of little details. When we were rehearsing yesterday, we were still laughing on stage, when we had to not laugh.”
So even for somebody new to opera, Die Fledermaus sounds like a perfect piece to introduce someone to the world of opera.
“This is my second time doing the role, and I think what’s really exciting about this is that unlike other operas, we also have dialogue in between scenes, we have a lot of conversations happening that propel the story forward.
“I think it’s really the perfect choice for someone’s first opera, because it’s really fun. Especially this production. It’s glamorous, in the second act after interval, we’re at a big party. There’s champagne, we’re all getting very drunk and having lots of fun. And the music is just fantastic as well. It’s one of Strauss’s most famous pieces.”
And after all the training, the rehearsals, the hard work, is the performance and all the glamour that goes with the music, the staging and the costumes, is that the appeal and the big payoff in being part of an opera?
“I think if I can say, even personally, like the appeal for me is, it’s always fun to dress up. I think people think we dress up more often than we do!” laughs.
“It is really nice to dress up in a beautiful costume design by Catherine Fay. She did a fantastic job.
“But what is the big payoff for me doing this job is sitting in the dressing rooms together with amazing colleagues, having moments together backstage, and creating something together from the ground up within three weeks, and then taking that on tour around Ireland, I think we have 14 shows.
“So I think the joy really comes from being with a fantastic group of colleagues and taking their energy every night and just having lots of fun on stage. That for me is the big pay off.”
Of course, being from Limerick, the Lime Tree theatre performance will be extra special.
“I’ve had incredible support from the city, like when I started studying in the Academy of Music in Dublin, the Limerick Arts Council has always supported me, giving advice and answering questions that I had about different things.
“It is so lovely to come back and meet people and have my friends come and see the show. And I do feel a bit of pressure, because I want to come back and do a great job. I always hope that people enjoy not just my singing, but the show as a whole.
“The Lime Tree is such a fantastic venue, it’s always such a joy to arrive in the theatre to get ready for the show, I think the nerves will be overshadowed by just the excitement of being back at home and performing on stage.
“It’s a very fun and exciting show that I hope that everyone enjoys.”
The production boasts a stellar ensemble, featuring:
Rosalinde-Jade Phoenix (soprano)
Adele-Sarah Shine (soprano, Limerick native)
Prince Orlofsky-Sharon Carty (mezzo-soprano)
Eisenstein-Alex McKissick (tenor)
Dr. Falke-Ben McAteer (baritone)
The visual and artistic elements are crafted by a highly skilled creative team:
Set Design-Paul O’Mahony
Costumes-Catherine Fay
Lighting- Sinéad McKenna
Choreography-Stephanie Dufresne
Conductor-Richard Pierson
With stunning visuals, exquisite costumes, and an effervescent musical score, this production of Die Fledermaus is set to captivate audiences across the country.
Performed in German with English surtitles, Die Fledermaus plays at The Lime Tree Theatre this Saturday February 8 at the earlier start time of 7.30pm.
Tickets www.limetreebelltable.ie
