Cedar Rapids Opera brings German comedy ‘Die Fledermaus’ to the Paramount

The stereotype with opera is that productions are sung in Italian and are tragic. Well, that's not so with every opera. "Die Fledermaus," aka "The Bat," is a hilarious German comedy that is delivered in English.

Johan Strauss II's masterwork, which will be performed Jan. 16 and 18 by the Cedar Rapids Opera with Orchestra Iowa at the Paramount Theatre, is a breezy production that features mistaken identities, scandalous love interests, surprising chaos and unpredictable, amusing outcomes.

Strauss' brilliant operetta debuted in Vienna in 1874, but it's a relatable gem. "Die Fledermaus" is a fast-moving satire on Viennese society, which is best known for its catchy waltzes.

"We haven't done this piece in 25 years and we believe that it's time to put it back on the program," Cedar Rapids Opera founder and artistic director/conductor Daniel Kleinknecht said while calling from New York. "This piece feels so different from the Italian repertoire. I don't want to say it's simple, but it's a production that everyone can relate to. It's full of waltzes that are done in 3/4 time."

That three-beat rhythm of a waltz is ideal for the elegant, flowing ballroom dances within the story.

"We wanted to do something that isn't tragic," Kleinknecht said. "We love 'Madame Butterfly' but we didn't want to go in that direction. We decided to do something light and also have a show in which nobody dies."

Comedy has appeal to a broad base, and "Die Fledermaus" is a consistently amusing opera.

"We're enjoying doing something comical that can connect with a large audience," Kleinknecht said. "This production is also something in which we can use a lot of our young artists. January can be a bad weather month, but it can be a blessing in disguise for this production since we can get wonderful young students that come out during their break. We'll have some mighty fine singers in this production. We'll give a lot of young singers their first opera credit."

A number of those students participated in Cedar Rapids Opera's Esther and Myron Wilson's vocal competition, which was held in August 2024 at the Paramount Theatre. Nine performers from around the country competed for a portion of more than $50,000 in prize money.

Decorah soprano Emily Secor; Philadelphia baritone Brian James Myer; New Lenox, Illinois, tenor Edward Brennan; and Louisa, Virginia, countertenor Chuanyuan Liu are the Wilson vocal competition competitors who will return to the Paramount stage for "Die Fledermaus."

Emerging singers will have an opportunity to impress on the Paramount stage. Cedar Rapids Opera isn't just giving the vocalists of tomorrow a chance but it's also hoping to attract new opera fans.

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The preconceived notion is that opera is expensive, high art, but "Die Fledermaus" is an affordable entertainment option.

"Our ticket prices are only $25 for adults," Cedar Rapids Opera general director Thaddeus Ennen said. "We don't want people to think that opera is too expensive or too hoity toity for everyone to enjoy. Everyone is welcome to experience the opera. We're trying to make it as affordable as any form of entertainment in Cedar Rapids."

The price is more than fair considering the venue. The Paramount is a perfect hall for opera.

"The Paramount as a theater is terrific," Ennen said. "The Paramount is one of the finest concert halls and one of the best opera houses in the state. We discovered that during the Wilson competition. People don't think of the Paramount as an opera house, but for me, it's the way the building was refurbished. The sound is remarkable. It really highlights the voice and the blend between the voice, and the orchestra is fantastic. We're blessed to have a venue like the Paramount in Cedar Rapids."

Kleinknecht and Ennen recently caught a production of "Die Fledermaus" in the Quad Cities that stoked their enthusiasm thanks to the clarity of the show and the comic nature of the production.

"I think we all can use a good comedy now," Kleinknecht said.

Century old comedy works with universal human flaws are a constant. Classic comedy often focuses on foibles and vices. Vanity, greed and jealousy are just as prevalent today as they were in ancient Greece. The same goes for political and social commentary and revenge, which is a huge part of "Die Fledermaus."

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Styles change, but the human condition remains the same.

Cedar Rapids Opera, which is in its 28th year, doesn't just present productions like "Die Fledermaus." The company is based in education. Performances are held at schools in the hopes of connecting with students. But it doesn't stop there.

"We have free shows in assisted living and retirement communities," Kleinknechtt said. "We believe that everyone has a right to classical vocal music and that everyone should have access to opera as well."