Stetson Opera Theatre will present one of the world’s best loved operettas in early April at the News-Journal Center in Daytona Beach, performing “Die Fledermaus” on the 150th anniversary of its premiere.

Set in 19th century Vienna, the operetta by Johann Strauss II is a comedy of mistaken identities and romantic entanglements, complete with lively waltzes and a memorable musical score.

The Stetson Opera Theatre and Stetson Symphony Orchestra will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 5, coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the opera’s premiere in Vienna. A second performance will follow at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 7, both in the News-Journal Center, 221 N. Beach St., Daytona Beach.

Stetson students, faculty and staff get in free with a valid Stetson ID. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $5 for youth, ages 13-17. Visit the Stetson School of Music Box Office or purchase tickets at the door. Guests also can enjoy a champagne toast and live music for an extra $25 to celebrate the opera’s anniversary on April 5, beginning at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call 386-822-8950.

Dashiell Waterbury, Head of Opera at Stetson, is the director and Anthony Hose, Stetson’s Orchestra Director, will be the conductor.

The performances will showcase the world-class training provided to students in Stetson’s School of Music. Alumni of the Stetson School of Music sing in the most famous opera houses of the world, including Teatro alla Scala in Milan and the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Students also audition for an apprenticeship program with Opera Orlando and sing in its fall opera production.

“For $15, people can come see the stars of tomorrow, which is pretty exciting,” Waterbury said. 

In addition, the Stetson Opera Theatre invited back one of its successful alumni to star in a leading role. Opera singer Michael Anthony Rodriguez ’18 hopes to inspire students as they look to launch their professional careers.

“Returning to Stetson University will certainly be a heartfelt homecoming for me,” he said. “Stetson provided me with a solid foundation in music education and instilled in me the importance of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Through this performance and rehearsal process, I hope to inspire current students to fully embrace their artistic aspirations, to pursue excellence and to cherish the supportive community that this institution offers.

“It’s a privilege to return to my alma mater and contribute to the rich musical legacy that continues to thrive here,” he added.

The lead performers in the production are: Michael Anthony Rodriguez as Eisenstein; Annalycia Franklin and Emily Szubielski as Rosalinde; Isabel Barbato and Rachel Castillo as Adele; Peter Lorenzo and Carlin Schoenfish as Alfred; and Nicholas Dieux and Kyle Bjorge as Dr. Falke.

-Stetson Today