First Coast Opera staging Strauss’s comic operetta ‘Die Fledermaus’ at Flagler College

From Staff Reports
·2 min read
Count Orlofsky is shown in Palm Beach Opera's production of "Die Fledermaus" in 2019. First Coast Opera puts on "Die Fledermaus" on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. Provided by Palm Beach Opera
Count Orlofsky is shown in Palm Beach Opera's production of "Die Fledermaus" in 2019. First Coast Opera puts on "Die Fledermaus" on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. Provided by Palm Beach Opera

First Coast Opera will celebrate New Year's Eve and the new year with Johann Strauss's best-known operetta, "Die Fledermaus (The Bat)."

The professional opera company will have two performances of "Die Fledermaus (The Bat)" at 7 p.m. Dec. 31 and 3 p.m. Jan. 1 in Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College.

This is the fully-staged production with orchestra of Johann Strauss Jr’s classic 19th century Viennese operetta performed in English.

Nelson Sheeley is the director and First Coast Opera Artistic Director Curtis Tucker is conductor. Sheeley previously directed “The Marriage of Figaro” and “H.M.S Pinafore.”

“This particular opera is a New Year’s Eve tradition in Vienna,” Tucker said. “We are thrilled to stage ‘Die Fledermaus’ for St. Augustine residents and its visitors during the holiday season.”

Nelson Sheeley
Nelson Sheeley
Curtis Tucker, conductor
Curtis Tucker, conductor

The cast

  • Catherine Spitzer will perform the role of Rosalinda von Eisenstein

  • Thomas Gunther will perform the role of Gabriel von Eisenstein

  • Brittany Fouché will perform the role of Adele

  • Matthew Morgan will perform the role of Alfred

  • Tyler Putnam will perform the role of Dr. Falke

  • Thomas Rowell will perform the role of Dr. Blind

  • Sarah Nordin will perform the role of Prince Orlofsky

  • Jason Whitfield will perform the role of Frank

  • John Byner will perform the role of Frosch

  • Katherine Kincaid will perform the role of Sally

  • Annie Gaybis will perform the role of Ivana

Catherine Ortega Spitzer
Catherine Ortega Spitzer
Thomas Gunther
Thomas Gunther
Brittany Fouché
Brittany Fouché
Matthew Morgan
Matthew Morgan
Tyler Putnam
Tyler Putnam
Thomas Rowell
Thomas Rowell
Sarah Nordin
Sarah Nordin
Jason Whitfield
Jason Whitfield
John Byner
John Byner
Katherine Kincaid
Katherine Kincaid
Annie Gaybis
Annie Gaybis

First Coast Opera, which was founded in 2000, performs a series of concerts and staged productions of operas and operettas throughout Northeast Florida. First Coast Opera recently became a Professional Company Member of Opera America, which serves the entire opera community, supporting the creation, presentation, and enjoyment of opera.

Tickets for the production range from $20 to $70 and are available at firstcoastopera.com. Champagne will be served during intermission.

'Die Fledermaus (The Bat)’

  • 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College, 14 Granada St., St. Augustine; $20-$70

  • 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 1, Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College, 14 Granada St., St. Augustine; $20-$70

  • Information or tickets: firstcoastopera.com or 904-417-5555

Coming up

Opéra Mystique will be performed in February 2023 at The Waterworks, 184 San Marco Ave., in uptown St. Augustine. Opera and the supernatural combine in FCO’s inaugural production at the renovated historic Waterworks building. This other-worldly program features staged performances with orchestra of Menotti’s séance-filled The Medium and Holst’s Sāvitri, based on an episode from the Sanskrit epic Mahābhārata.

In March 2023, an Evening of Arias will return, an annual event that features heavy hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, and performances by First Coast Opera guest artists.

This article originally appeared on St. Augustine Record: First Coast Opera puts ‘Die Fledermaus (The Bat)’ on stage Dec. 31-Jan. 1