Die Fledermaus Cast Announced

Die Fledermaus

The Connecticut Lyric Opera Announces Cast and NEW Performance Dates for Johann Strauss's Comedic Operetta Die Fledermaus

Sunday, February 20 - Bushnell, Hartford
Sunday, February 27 - Trinity-On-Main, New Britain

Connecticut Lyric Opera, in association with its partner, Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, will present three performances of Johann Strauss’s comedic, crowd-pleasing operetta “Die Fledermaus” in New Britain, and Hartford.

“Die Fledermaus (“The Bat”) is a frothy, delightful, crowd-pleasing comedy with catchy melodies and comic antics. Dr. Falke has finally concocted an appropriate “revenge” on his old friend, Eisenstein, in retaliation for a humiliating practical joke that Falke still hasn’t lived down. Connecticut Lyric Opera’s production of Strauss’s world-famous operetta will feature special guests from across the state in Act II’s glamorous New Year’s Eve Ball, set in Orlofsky’s mansion. The whole lot ends up in jail in Act III for a series of cascading recognition scenes leading to the spectacular finale. “Die Fledermaus” is a perfect night of entertainment full of farcical elements: mistaken identity, mystery, mayhem, merriment, and marvelous memorable music.

“Die Fledermaus” 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.
The cast of “Die Fledermaus” includes Deborah Lifton (Rosalinde von isenstein), Daniel Kamalić (Gabriel von Eisenstein), Maria Margiolakou (Adele), Oswaldo Iraheta (Alfred), Jacob Lassetter (Dr. Falke), Rongjun Li (Dr. Blind), Sung Shin (Frank), Rebecca Batista de Almeida (Orlofsky), Rachel Abrams (Ida), Rob Esposito (Frosch), and Joey Taylor (Ivan).

Tickets & Performances
Opening Night: Sunday, Feb. 20 @ 7:30 p.m.
The Belding Theater at The Bushnell Performing Arts Center, 166 Capitol Avenue, Hartford. Ticket prices: $35-$79
Connecticut Lyric Opera's Die Fledermaus | The Bushnell

Sunday, Feb. 27 30 @ 6:00 p.m
at Trinity-On-Main Arts Center,
Main Street, New Britain. Ticket price: $35 @
https://thevirtuosi.ticketleap.com/

Meet the Cast!

Soprano Deborah Lifton (Rosalinde von Eisenstein) is the 1st Place Winner of the prestigious Joy in Singing Competition Prize. Ms. Lifton’s work has also been honored by the National Federation of Music Clubs, the David Adams Art Song Competition, and the Hellenic Foundation. Ms. Lifton was recently featured in American Opera Projects’ Composers and the Voice Series, where she worked closely with some of today’s leading young composers of vocal repertoire. She appeared as Sally Follet in Center for Contemporary Opera’s production of William Mayer’s "A Death in the Family" at the Avignon Opera in France and Millicent in the world premiere of Michael Dellaira’s "The Secret Agent" at the Szeged National Theater in Hungary. Her performance in leading roles in a double-bill of Philip Hagemann’s works, presented at New York’s Symphony Space, was favorably reviewed by The New York Times. An active recitalist, Ms. Lifton has been heard at New York’s Trinity Church, the Kosciuszko Foundation, Lippes Concert Hall, Le Poisson Rouge, Yamaha Showroom, the National Arts Club, and the Galapagos Art Space.

Lyric-Dramatic Tenor Daniel Kamalić (Gabriel von Eisenstein) played Ruggerio in Connecticut Lyric Opera’s production of Francesca Caccini’s “La liberazione di Ruggiero dall'isola d'Alcina” earlier this season. He previously performed as Harlekin in "Der Kaiser von Atlantis", Lensky in "Eugene Onegin", and Young Sailor and Shepherd in "Tristan und Isolde" with Connecticut Lyric Opera; Gastone in "La Traviata" (New Rochelle Opera); and Samuel McKenzie in the world premiere of Santelli’s "The Silk City" (Garden State Opera). Mr. Kamalić created the role of Charles Bryant in Iglitzin and Zamansky’s "The Garden of Alla", which premiered online as part of New York Public Library’s “Across a Crowded Zoom” Festival. His international solo appearances include Israel Chamber Orchestra ("Der Kaiser von Atlantis"), Medulin Classic Festival in Croatia ("Trio Veljak"), New York State Ballet ("Carmina Burana"), New Opera NYC ("The Golden Cockerel"), New Rochelle Opera ("The Merry Widow"), and Garden State Opera ("The Yellow Star").

Soprano Maria Margiolakou (Adele) most recently appeared as First Lady in Connecticut Lyric Opera’s productions of “La liberazione di Ruggiero dall'isola d'Alcina” and Musetta in “La Bohème”. She performed Lauretta (“Gianni Schicchi”) and
Cherubino (“Le nozze di Figaro”) while attending Greve Opera Academy in Italy. She joined the Connecticut Lyric Opera’s Young Artist Program, where she performed Euridice (“Orfeo ed Euridice”) and Amour (“Daphnis et Eglé”) with Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra. Ms. Margiolakou has performed numerous roles with Georgia State Opera Theater, including Cercatrice (“Suor Angelica”), Joan Hall (“The Workshop”) and Cissy (“Albert Herring”) and sang Barbarina (“Le nozze di Figaro”) and Nerone (“L’incoronazione di Poppea”) at the Lefkas Summer Festival in Greece.

Salvadoran-American Tenor Oswaldo Iraheta (Alfred) has sung in several opera premieres, including Domingo in “El Mozote” with Ópera de El Salvador, the Prince in “The Magic Mirror” at the New York International Fringe Festival, and the Shepherd in “Shulamit” in New York City. Other roles include Alfredo (“La Traviata”), Rodolfo (“La Bohème”), Remendado (“Carmen”) and Don Ottavio (“Don Giovanni”). Iraheta has performed with many leading opera companies, including Connecticut Lyric Opera, the ZêzereArts Festival, St. Petersburg Opera, Aspen Music Festival, Assisi Music Festival, Ópera de El Salvador, Opera Circle of Cleveland, Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice, Trentino Lirica Opera, Knoxville Opera, New Sussex Opera, and the Royal Opera House Muscat. He most recently performed as a soloist with the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra for Mozart’s “Requiem” at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford.

With his powerful voice and commanding stage presence, baritone Jacob Lassetter (Falke) enjoys an exciting and vibrant career on both the operatic and concert stage. Critics have praised his dignified characterizations, his soaring high range, and his deep, rich tone quality. Opera audiences have recently seen Mr. Lassetter as Sharpless in Madama Butterfly with Annapolis Opera, Wolfram in Tannhäuser with Apotheosis Opera (New York City,) Peter in Hänsel und Gretel with Union Avenue Opera, and Rodrigo in the world premiere of Borgia Infami with Winter Opera Saint Louis. Concert performances include Schubert’s Mass in A-Flat at Carnegie Hall, Mendelssohn’s Elijah in Robbiate, Italy, Beethoven’s Symphony no. 9 at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass with the Bach Chamber Players of Saint Paul, Bach’s Mass in B Minor with the Rochester Choral Arts Ensemble, and a recital on the Shepley Concert Series at Christ Church Cathedral (Saint Louis.)

Lyric Tenor Rongjun Li (Dr. Blind) received a master’s degree in Vocal Performance from The Hartt School at the University of Hartford, where he studied with Professor Wayne Rivera, coach Tomoko Nakayama and pianist Blake Hansen. Last year Rongjun performed in the Hartt Opera Theater’s production of Aaron Copland’s “The Tender Land”, where he played Martin. He also performed in Hartt Opera Theater’s production of Johann Strauss’s “Die Fledermaus”. Most recently, Mr. Li was First Tenor in Connecticut Lyric Opera’s production of “La liberazione di Ruggiero dall'isola d'Alcina” and an ensemble member in the opera’s production of Giacomo Puccini’s “La Bohème” last summer.

Sung Shin (Frank) is a Korean-American Baritone currently completing a Graduate Professional Diploma at the Hartt School. He most recently appeared as Second Tenor in Connecticut Lyric Opera’s production of “La liberazione di Ruggiero dall'isola d'Alcina” Upcoming roles include ‘Silvio’ in Leoncavallo’s “I Pagliacci” with Opera Connecticut. Recently he performed the roles of ‘Bob’ in Menotti’s “The Old Maid and the Thief” with the Hartt Opera Theatre, and ‘Mr. Gedge’ in Britten’s “Albert Herring” at the Manhattan School of Music. He is the Director and Founder of Opera Under the Arch, a group of young singers and pianists who perform opera arias and scenes at New York City’s Washington Square Park.

Mezzo-Soprano Rebecca Batista de Almeida (Orlovsky) sang Alcina in Connecticut Lyric Opera’s production of “La liberazione di Ruggiero dall'isola d'Alcina '' earlier this season. Additional highlights include Mercédès in “Carmen” and Orfeo in “Orfeo ed Euridice'' with Connecticut Lyric Opera, Giulio Cesare in "Giulio Cesare'' with the Connecticut Virtuosi Summer Institute, Dorabella in “Così fan tutte” with Greve Opera Academy, Flora in “La Traviata” with Opera Theater of Connecticut, and “Carmen '' with Grande Prairie Opera. A native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Ms. Almeida has performed throughout the United States and Europe. Her achievements include 1st prize at XXVI Concurso Latino Americano Rosa Mística; two-time winner of “Concurso Villa Lobos''; and second prize at 20º Concurso de Piano ArtLivre – Prova Estímulo. Ms. Almeida has performed at renowned venues such as Theatro Municipal de Niterói and CCBB in Brasil, and The Garde Arts Center in New London, Connecticut.

Mezzo-soprano Rachel Abrams (Ida) made her debut with Delaware Valley Opera in their summer opera concert: Lovers! Liars! and Libertines! performing in opera scenes from "Cosí fan tutte; Rigoletto; Lakmé" and "Trouble in Tahiti" and will return to Berkshire Opera Festival in the ensemble of Verdi’s "Falstaff ''. This fall, she makes her debut with MassOpera in "La Traviata" singing the roles of La Dottoressa Grenvil and La Commissaria and will perform at the New England Gilbert and Sullivan Society’s 45th-anniversary concert. Ms. Abrams has been featured in a variety of virtual concerts, most notably with Greater Worcester Opera, Panopera, and Operatune Productions in their Enchanted Christmas concert of oratorio and sacred works. She also performed excerpts from Bach’s "Weihnachtsoratorium '' with the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra at St. James Episcopal Church as a part of their Lessons and Carols service.

Rob Esposito (Frosch) has been a theatre teacher/director at Cooperative Arts & Humanities High School in New Haven for the past 16 years, where he has directed over 40 major musicals/plays such as In the Heights, Steel Magnolias, Importance of Being Earnest, Drowsy Chaperone, Last Days of Judas Iscariot, BAT BOY, Rumors, Jesus Christ Superstar, Urinetown, Little Shop of Horrors, and many others. Mr. Esposito has also directed shows for Fair Haven Middle School, St. Bernadette School, Children’s Opera Project, Bregamos, Square Foot Theatre, Center Stage Theatre, and Vintage Soul Productions. He is a board member of The Roundtable Players where he serves as resident director. Aside from the occasional acting “gig”, he finds teaching his most rewarding artistic experience to date.

Joey Taylor (Ivan) is currently a senior studying Theatre Performance at Western Connecticut State University. He is also an alumnus of SUNY Dutchess Community College, where he studied Performing Arts and served as the President of their theatre club, The Masquers Guild, and Student Producer on mainstage productions. He frequently performs as various characters across New York State with Murder Mystery Manhattan. In the past, Mr. Taylor has participated in several directing workshops and intensives through the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Past credits with Connecticut Lyric Opera include “La Boheme” (Assistant Director).