The Glyndebourne Opera returned to the Norwich Theatre Royal to open their November 2006 visit with an exceptionally accomplished performance of Johann Strauss' comic operetta Die Fledermaus. Reviving their acclaimed 2006 festival production, which includes a new and fantastically playful English language translation by Stephen Lawless and Daniel Dooner, the company performed to a packed auditorium. The energetic forward thrust of Strauss's dance music was combined with superbly dramatic musical performances from Amelia Farrugia (Adele), Majella Cullagh (Rosalinde), Peter Hoare (Alfred) and John Graham-Hall (Eisenstein). Conductor Robin Ticciati achieved a compelling balance between musical accuracy and individual spontaneity. Political and social anxiety Stauss's operetta reflects a Vienna moving towards the very end of the Hapsburg era with rife political and social anxiety brought about by economic instability and the social unease of the 'respectable' classes. The operetta borrows significantly from French vaudeville (one of the sources of it's original libretto), and applies satirical and bacchanal themes to the hedonistic contemporary Viennese joie-de-vivre. Combining Ingeborg Bernerth's raunchy costumes with Benoit Dugardyn's beautiful Art Deco inspired mechanical set - fluidly assembled variously into Eisenstein's apartments (Act 1), Prince Orlofsky's hilariously burlesque champagne fuelled party (Act 2), the town goal (Act 3) and all places in-between - the performers created a truly wonderful spectacle. The choreography of performers, the movement of the set and the energetic delivery of the music were delivered to uncompromising effect, combining to form a production which engaged with a riotously playful parody of the times. The new translation provided numerous updates to the thematic joke 'It wasn't me, it was the Champagne!', which runs throughout the operetta, which were greeted with hearty responses from the audience. Significant talent At 23-years-old, young conductor Robin Ticciati demonstrated a significant talent for delivering this kind of complex comedy. Combined with Glyndebourne's policy of offering support for young artists at the start of their international career, it's bound to be a partnership to watch out for in the future. Glyndebourne Opera are in Norwich until Saturday, 25 November, 2006 presenting Mozart's Cosė fan tutte and Britten's The Turn of the Screw. Die Fledermaus will receive a second performance in Norwich on Friday, 24 November. For more details call 01603 630000. | 
