Connecticut Lyric Opera’s Production of “Die Fledermaus”

HARTFORD - Ballet Hartford will dance in Connecticut Lyric Opera’s upcoming production of Johann Strauss II’s “Die Fledermaus.” Artistic Director Leyna Doran and dancers will appear in Act II’s glamorous New Year’s Eve Ball for both the Bushnell and Garde Arts Center performances of the madcap comedic operetta.

Performances of “Die Fledermaus” will be held on December 26 at the Trinity-On-Main Arts Center in New Britain, December 30 at The Bushnell’s Belding Theatre in Hartford, and January 7 at The Garde Arts Center in New London. The operetta will be conducted by Adrian Sylveen, Artistic Director of Connecticut Lyric Opera and Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, and directed by Jan Mason, Associate Artistic Director of Connecticut Lyric Opera.

Ballet Hartford is Hartford's professional ballet company and is committed to artistic excellence through the classical and contemporary genres while honoring Hartford's unique role in the development of ballet in America. Ballet Hartford is composed of professional dancers from across the country and has an affiliated school in West Hartford: the Pre-Professional Division.

Ballet Hartford’s Artistic Director Leyna Doran began her ballet training in her home state of California at the age of twelve. At fourteen, she was selected to be coached by Christina (Gibbs) Lyon, former dancer of American Ballet Theatre. Upon graduating summa cum laude with her Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2014, Ms. Doran worked as a company artist with Ekklesia Contemporary Ballet. She began teaching at several ballet studios and instructing several dance organizations at Yale University. In 2016, she began dancing for Vivid Ballet (Ballet Hartford), and performing around the country. She performed choreography from Elizabeth McMillan, Silas Farley (New York City Ballet), Stephen Pier, Vincent Hardy (Complexions Contemporary Ballet), Steve Rooks (Martha Graham Dance Company), Michelle Thompson Ulrich (Ballet Austin), Caleb Mitchell (Houston Ballet), Miro Magliore, Victor Lozano (Julliard), and others. Most notably, Ms. Doran performed at the White House for an event held by First Lady. She continues to instruct and choreograph on a regular basis for dance schools in the Hartford area. In 2019, Ms. Doran became Artistic Director of Ballet Hartford and has been grateful to carry the company forward with excellence and joy.

Die Fledermaus Tickets & Performances
Opening Night: Sunday, December 26 @ 7:30 p.m. at Trinity-On-Main Arts Center, 69 Main Street, New Britain. Ticket price: $35 @ www.thevirtuosi.ticketleap.com.

Thursday, December 30 @ 7:30 p.m., The Belding Theater at The Bushnell Performing Arts Center, 166 Capitol Avenue, Hartford. Ticket price: $35-$79 bushnell.org/ConnecticutLyricOpera.

Friday, January 7 @ 7:30 p.m., The Garde Arts Center, 325 State Street, New London. Ticket price: $29-$45 https://gardearts.org/events/die-fledermaus-2/.

Connecticut Lyric Opera (CLO) is the state’s leading opera company - performing to thousands across Connecticut in Hartford, Middletown, New Britain, and New London. CLO has earned the reputation as an innovative company that is renowned for its world-class singers, phenomenal concert-quality orchestra, and programming choices that go beyond the well-loved standards of the repertoire to include lesser-performed yet equally compelling works.

Last year, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) awarded CLO with a $50,000 grant as part of its Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocation. CLO is one of nine arts organizations in Connecticut, and one of only 27 opera companies nationwide, to receive this grant.

Together with its musical partner, the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, CLO created the Greve Opera Academy and Music Festival in Italy (2015) and the Summer Opera Institute in Farmington. Singers from CLO's celebrated Young Artist Program have gone on to perform at the Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera Covent Garden, Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin, the Salzburg Festival and other major companies.

The Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, the state’s premier professional chamber orchestra, is dedicated to presenting both traditional and contemporary classical chamber works to the public. The Orchestra, led by Founder and Artistic Director Adrian Sylveen, continues to grow in size and repertoire, presenting approximately 35 times a year in many major performing arts centers throughout Connecticut and New York. The organization consists of 27 professional musicians and an administrative staff of four.

The mission of the Orchestra is to preserve and perpetuate the great traditions of orchestral music through the expansion of its public performance season, its education series, and by showcasing the excellence of regional and international talent. In its choice of repertoire, special attention is given to music from Eastern Europe.

The Orchestra collaborates on many projects with the New Britain Chorale, Central Connecticut State University, Middletown Concert Association, New York’s Chopin Foundation, and others. The Orchestra co-produces fully-staged opera productions with Connecticut Lyric Opera. In addition to performances, the Orchestra enriches the community by providing free tickets to local schools and hosting lectures on orchestral music. A frequent guest at the Kosciusko Foundation’s Chamber Music Series, in 2003 the Orchestra was invited to perform at the Gala Concert celebrating the 25th anniversary of John Paul II’s papacy.