Amore Opera Presents DIE FLEDERMAUS and HANSEL & GRETEL

Amore Opera opens its holiday season with Johann Strauss II's Die Fledermaus at its new home, the Theatre at St. Jean's on Manhattan's Upper East Side. This bubbly, musical tale of romantic intrigue and merry revenge will be presented in full production with full orchestra conducted by Douglas Martin, with stage direction by Amore Opera's Artistic Director Nathan Hull. Amore Opera's production of Die Fledermaus features several talented casts.

The part of the beset Eisenstein is performed by baritones Matthew Ciufitelli, Neal Harrelson and Christopher Nelson; Eisenstein's wife, Rosalinda is sung by sopranos Amal El-Shrafi, Iris Karlin and Helaine Liebman; and the part of the coquettish Adele is portrayed by sopranos Jessi Goebel, Jane Hoffman and Haley Vick. Die Fledermaus will be sung in a new English translation. There will be nine (9) performances: Sat Dec 17 (2:30); Sun Dec 18 (2:30 AND 7:30); Tues Dec 27 through Sat Dec 31 (all at 7:30); and a

final Sunday matinee, Sun Jan 1st at 2:30.

Note that Saturday evening, December 31st continues the Amore Opera tradition of having a New Year's Eve Gala that includes a full dinner after Act I, dessert after Act II, and a Midnight Toast after Act III. In addition, there is an hour long New Year's Concert that follows the show after midnight.

Amore Opera will also be presenting its holiday performances of Engelbert Humperdinck's Hansel & Gretel in a special 90- minute English language full production accompanied by chamber orchestra. This classic favorite is under the baton of veteran conductor Richard Owen, and is directed by Nathan Hull. Hansel is played by Hayden DeWitt, Gretel by Smitha Johnson and the Witch by Anita Lyons. Hansel and Gretel will be presented on Tues. Dec. 27th, Wed. Dec 28th, Thur., Dec 29th and Fri Dec. 30th at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets for both shows may be purchased from Amore Opera's website, www.amoreopera.org, or by calling OvationTix at 866-811-4111.

About Amore Opera

Now in its eighth season, the Amore Opera is continuing in its mission to entertain, educate and nurture music appreciation in youth, seniors and community members through affordable live performances of classical and overlooked operas, and provide a venue for a diversity of singers and musicians to perform in fully staged and orchestrated productions.

About Die Fledermaus

Originally based upon Das Gefängnis (The Prison), a 1851 German farce by Julius Roderich Benedix, and a later adaptation by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy called Le Réveillon, Die Fledermaus was adapted for Johann Strauss II by librettist Richard Genée. Following its debut in April 1874 at the Theater an der Wien in Vienna, Die Fledermaus became an international success which has continued to this day. Between 1896 and 1921, it was performed nearly 12,000 times on German-language stages-more than any other operetta at the time. It has had a similar success in the English-speaking world, and is regularly performed in opera houses all over the world, and has been seen on Broadway and been filmed several times.

Die Fledermaus Performances

Saturday, December 17, 2016, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 18, 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 18, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, December 27, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, December 28, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, December 29, 7:30 p.m.

Friday December 30, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 31, 7:30 p.m. (Special Die Fledermaus New Year's Eve Gala Show and Dinner)

Sunday, January 1, 2017, 2:30 p.m.

Hansel & Gretel "Opera-In Brief" Performances for Children and Families

December 27, 2:30 p.m.

December 28, 2:30 p.m.

December 29, 2:30 p.m.

December 30, 2:30 p.m.

Tickets for Die Fledermaus are $49.50 for Adults and $39.50 for Students and Seniors. There are also special Premium Tickets available for $75. The New Year's Eve Die Fledermaus Gala Dinner and Show is $125. Tickets for the Hansel & Gretel Opera-in-Brief are only $30.00. Tickets can be purchased directly through the Amore Opera Website at www.amoreopera.org or by calling 886-811-4111.

Theatre at St. Jean's

The beautiful Theatre at St. Jean's (the former Dicapo Opera) is conveniently situated in Manhattan's Upper East Side at the corner of E. 76th St. and Lexington Ave (184 East 76th Street). Located in the basement of St. Jean Baptiste Church, it is a fully equipped opera house which offers full handicapped accessibility including an elevator to the theatre level.