Venue Cymru hosts Strauss' Die Fledermaus

Feb 3 2011

FROM the tragedy of grand opera to the comedy of Johann Strauss’s light hearted operetta Die Fledermaus would be a quantum leap for some of the divas of classical music, but for Italian soprano Nuccia Focile her latest role is proving a sheer delight.

As one of the world’s most admired sopranos she has played most of the great operatic roles, including Nannetta in Falstaff, Violetta in La Traviata and Mimi in La Boheme, and has graced the stage at La Scala in Milan, the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

But as Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus she will be coming to Llandudno’s Venue Cymru in March and is looking forward to the challenge of stepping out of her comfort zone.

"We’re having a wonderful time rehearsing. There’s lots of giggling, laughing and dancing. It’s a sheer joy to be working on such a light-hearted and funny production," she smiled.

Playing new roles is something Nuccia relishes.

"I’ve played so many new roles, but this is the first time I’ve appeared in operetta. It requires a different approach. There’s quite a lot of speaking, for instance, which is something I’ve never done before, and as we’re doing it in English I really have to concentrate on getting the emphasis and the timing right, but the experience is fantastic."

"We have such fun in rehearsals and we all leave smiling and laughing. It’s very good for the soul."

She’s enjoying working with renowned director John Copley.

"I’ve worked with him before on La Boheme at Covent Garden. He’s amazing. His knowledge about the spirit of the opera is incredible and he understands perfectly the relationship between the singing and the acting.

"In Die Fledermaus attention to detail is important, the timing and rhythm of the dialogue has to be right, it has to be done with style and precision. It seems like a light piece but there is also a deeper meaning to it," she explained.

And Strauss’s score also places demands on the singer.

"Musically it is very difficult. It is like singing Mozart, you are so exposed. There are a lot of high notes and it’s sung in a particular style.

"It’s like playing an instrument, every note must be perfect and it needs a lot of hard work to achieve that, but I’m sure by the opening night it will be fine," she said.

Her character Rosalinde is a married woman persuaded to play a practical joke on her husband by going in disguise to a fancy dress ball he is attending.

Her husband flirts outrageously with the masked woman not knowing she is in fact his wife, but as the plot unfolds there are numerous twists, before it all ends happily.

Originally from Sicily, Nuccia studied opera at the prestigious Turin Conservatory. She’s been appearing with the Welsh National Opera since 1986 and lives with her family near Cardiff.

She has appeared in Llandudno before: "The audiences in North Wales are so enthusiastic, it is a pleasure to perform for them and we always want to do our best. It’s such a beautiful place too so it’s really enjoyable to be there."

The WNO’s production of Die Fledermaus is at Venue Cymru on March 17 and 19 at 7.15pm. Tickets on 01492 872000 or at venuecymru.co.uk