Beginning on Friday, the Dallas Opera presents Die Fledermaus (The Bat), Johann Strauss' much-loved operetta. Commonly cited as a good introduction to opera, Die Fledermaus tells the story of Baron Gabriel von Eisenstein, his wife Rosalinde, their maid Adele and layer upon layer of deception. Add in a ball, revenge, secret lovers, even more deception, and lush, timeless melodies and you get a hell of a show. Sung in English, the production features the celebrated lyric soprano Ana Maria Martinez in her Dallas Opera debut as Rosalinde. The baritone Wolfgang Holzmair, as Baron von Eisenstein, returns to Dallas after his well-received run in The Magic Flute. Conducted by Dallas Opera music director Graeme Jenkins and staged by director Tomer Zvulun, Die Fledermaus will delight Music Hall at Fair Park audiences 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, December 13. For tickets ($15 to $199) and additional info, call 214-443-1000 or visit dallasopera.org.
Fri., Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., Dec. 7, 2 p.m.; Wed., Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m., 2008