Opera Scotland

Fledermaus 2006Ellen Kent Productions

Read more about the opera Fledermaus

The first thing that needs to be said about this Fledermaus is that the idiomatic musical performance under Nicolae Dohotaru was quite delightful. Given that Moldova is not a million miles from the mouth of the Danube this should not have been a surprise.  However it was clear, from the first notes of the overture, that this was going to be an enjoyable evening, with plenty of give and take in the performance of the waltz melodies.

Secondly it was very well sung. Several of the company's young stars were on show, in roles such as Rosalinde, Adele and Eisenstein. That other parts were taken by relatively junior members of the ensemble may be taken as an indication of their relaxed ability to deliver the English dialogue with an appropriate lightness of touch - something even many native speakers struggle with in opera. While Aberdeen's theatre is of normal dimensions for such a work, the other three halls are perhaps unusually large for easy timing and projection of the witticisms. These singers generally did well, only occasionally finding that their accented delivery got in the way of communication.

Altogether this was a highly praiseworthy effort at a traditional period production, handsomely designed and staged.

Cast is as detailed in the souvenir programme, amended in accordance with performance insert. No credit was given for the smaller roles.