Die Fledermaus

Approximate Timing:

• 45 min - Act I
• 15 min - Intermission
• 40 min - Act II
• 10 min - Intermission
• 23 min - Act II
• Total duration:  2 hrs 13 min 

Cast:

Thursday Cast, November 20 at 7:00pm 

Friday Cast, November 21 at 7:00pm

Saturday Cast, November 22 at 7:00 PM

Sunday Cast, November 23 at 1:00 PM

Pianists

• Hugh Murphy
• Mohamed Shamseldin

Production Staff

Synopsis

In a time when media controls the narrative of our culture and social media is the primary form of communication, Strauss’ Die Fledermaus, though musically timeless presents some “challenges” for an audience in 2025. Language, settings, gender assignments, etc. are a bit antiquated. In an effort to make the piece more accessible to a modern audience we have made some adjustments to reflect current culture.

Act One

The location is an apartment in Los Angeles. Rosalinda and Gabriel(a) are active podcasters and live their lives online. Gabriel(a), a wellness guru, has run into legal troubles acquiring some medicinal herbs and must spend a few days in prison. Rosalinda is visited by ex-lovers, Alfredo the American Idol winner who poses as her spouse when Prison Warden Frank comes to take him/her to prison, and Dr. Falke, a plastic surgeon from Miami and an old friend of the couple. Dr Falke is in town for Prince Orlofsky’s party and to “get back at” Gabriel(a) for a practical joke he/she played on him at the Influencer’s Ball in Las Vegas. Adele, Rosalinda’s unpaid intern supposedly receives an invitation to the party from her sister Sally, and schemes to attend. Rosalinda becomes part of Falke’s plan when she realizes her spouse will be attending a party instead of going to prison.

Act Two

The enigmatic Prince Orlofsky’s Champagne launch party occurs at his posh Hollywood penthouse. Adele, disguised as an actress meets her sister Sally who claims not to have sent her sister the invitation. Orlofsky appears. He is rich, bored and wants to be entertained. Falke tells the prince about his plan; he is not amused. Gabriel(a) masquerades as a French Marquis/Marquess flirting with all the ladies at the party and Rosalinda appears as a Hungarian Countess to trap her spouse. The Prison Warden, posing as another Frenchman, arrives to take Gabriel(a) to jail.

Act Three

All party goers are taken to the jail where the plot is revealed and Prince Orlofsky is amused.

Faculty Biographies

Jacque Trussel - Stage Director

Winner of the American Prize in Directing for the Purchase Opera production of Robert Ward’s The Crucible, Jacque Trussel is an internationally renowned tenor and has performed leading roles with opera companies throughout the world, including the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, l’Opéra de la Bastille in Paris, Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich, Royal Opera House at Covent Garden, San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, New York City Opera and the Houston Grand Opera. He has appeared in concert with numerous symphonies including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony, the Leipzig Gewandhaus, and the Concertgebouw of Amsterdam. His radio and television broadcasts include performances of Don Jose in Carmen with the Canadian Broadcasting Company, Sky Tel Broadcast seen throughout Europe with Maria Ewing and the Live from Lincoln Center broadcast. His Grammy nominated solo CD, Sounds and Sweet Airs featuring the Janacek Philharmonic was released to great public enthusiasm and rave reviews. Mr. Trussel is also the featured tenor soloist on Le Livre de la Jungle by Charles Koechlin, awarded the prestigious Diapason d’Or for 2000, and Macbeth of Ernst Bloch awarded le Prix de l’Académie of Charles Cros. He also appears on the DVD release of Carmen with Maria Ewing (Image Entertainment). He was named Stage Director of the Year by Classical Singer Magazine and has led the Purchase Opera to numerous National Opera Association awards for Best Opera Production of the Year. In 2009 he co-authored the libretto of the opera Confession, which was written, composed, produced and premiered at Purchase College. Confession was later named Best Chamber Opera of the Year in a worldwide competition sponsored by the NOA.

Hugh Murphy - Music Director, Conductor

Several productions with Purchase Opera have been reviewed favorably by the New York Times and Opera News Magazine, and been named “Best Opera of the Year” by the National Opera Association. Recordings with the Purchase Opera, available at Albany Records: The Tempest (world premiere), Confession (world premiere) and The Crucible, which received the Bacon Memorial Award in the Performance of American Music. His experience spans the repertoire from the earliest operas to the most recent. His responsibilities as a Purchase professor include coaching and teaching courses in German and French Art Song, Operatic Literature and Styles. He has been on the faculty of the Mannes College of Music, a visiting faculty member at the Eastman School of Music, and at the “Si Parla, Si Canta!” Vocal Workshop, in Italy. His professional clients perform with the world’s leading opera companies.

Margaret Vignola - Assistant Director

After years of working in artist development, publicity, marketing and sales for international music industry giants like Capitol, MCA, Geffen, IRS, Motown Records, and the Universal Music Group, Ms. Vignola left a successful career to study Voice and Opera at the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College. In the Opera Performance/Vocal Studies program Ms Vignola performed as Second Lady in die Zauberflote, The Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors, and Suora Dolcina in Puccini’s Suor Angelia. During the last two years of her vocal studies she offered her administrative experience to the program’s new director, Jacque Trussel in an effort to assist in creating the core of the current Opera program. For the past 28 years she has served as the Assistant Director of the multi-award-winning Purchase Opera and Assistant to Professor Trussel. In the 2009, she and Professor Trussel collaborated to write the libretto for Raphael Lucas’ Confession. The Opera went on to win National Opera Association’s Best Chamber Production and was recorded by Albany Records. Ms. Vignola is also a Screenwriting graduate from NYU/Tisch Film and Television Essentials.

Production Team Biographies

Christopher Brusberg - Lighting Designer

Christopher Brusberg is a lighting designer who focuses on storytelling through the use of style and collaboration. Based out of NYC, Christopher has worked with following companies over the past fifteen years: EMERGE125 (Company Lighting Designer - NYC), Annapolis Opera (Resident Lighting Designer), Opera Lafayette (DC), Tri-Cities Opera, Syracuse Opera, Tulsa Opera, BANDPoteir (DC/NYC), Lyric Stage Company of Boston, Company One (Boston), Speakeasy Company of Boston, Arrow Rock Lyceum, The Cherry Arts Space (Ithaca), NYU Steinhardt, SUNY Purchase Voice and Opera, and Boston Conservatory. Christopher is a proud member of USA829. www.ctblighting.com.

Ryan Randazzo - Lighting Designer

Ryan is an up-and-coming Lighting Designer based in New York and Northern New Jersey. Shows he has designed include, but are not limited to, Macbeth by Candlelight, Chelsea Repertory’s One-Act Play Festival, Lost and Found (Off-broadway), and Montclair State University’s production of Anna in The Tropics. You can follow him on Instagram @rjrlights and at www.rjrlighting.com

Tracey Olmoz - Costume Director

Tracey holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Syracuse University and is a proud member of the Purchase Opera production team. She was the Costume Coordinator for the Admiral Players of Arlington HS (Director Sarah Combs) from 2012 - 2019, costuming small productions as well as musicals with 82+ member ensembles. She directed the costume crew, in which she taught varied elements of costuming; from sewing an emergency whip stitch seam split repair in the wings, to building masquerade masks and perfecting the art of the quick change. She specializes in garment modifications and loves to turn a simple costume into something magical. Some favorites include Aida, Crazy for You, 42nd Street, Hello, Dolly!, Oklahoma!, Sister Act, The Music Man, and West Side Story. Her venture into dressing operas began in August 2021, with specialty builds and alterations for Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice in their production of I Pagliacci (Director Maria Todaro). As the Costume Director for Purchase Opera (Director Jacque Trussel), she has designed, built, rented or otherwise procured costumes since the Fall of 2021. Productions include Amahl and the Night Visitors, Le Nozze di Figaro, Cendrillon, Die Zauberflӧte, Hansel & Gretel, Hamlet, and L’incoronazione di Poppea. She received a nod for costume design for Hamlet in the Division VI NOA 1st Place Award review in 2024. I am grateful for my boys Nick (MusB Studio Comp ’19) and Zack (MusB Opera ’23) who inspired and encouraged me into this craft, and for John who completely supports me and my unconventional skillset and unforgiving schedule!

Lilian Juliet Skuthan - Hair and Make-up Designer

Lilian Skuthan has over 15 years of experience as a professional Make-Up Artist. She graduated along with great artists and mentors from New York and Los Angeles through Empire Beauty School: Learning Institute of Beauty Sciences. Sponsored and trained by M.A.C. Cosmetics, KETT Cosmetics and CINEMA SECRETS Cosmetics. Lily is certified for Fashion & Glamour, TV & FILM and currently works in television, advertising, print, stock photography and theater production. She specializes in the techniques of airbrush make-up and prosthetics, as well as all facets of make-up application education. Using her knowledge of face, color, shadow, bone structure, lighting, and even the individual’s personality, each application is singularly crafted to bring out the most alluring, unique and honest look. She thoroughly enjoys working with the Purchase College Opera Program and is passionate about teaching the importance of character building through the craft of hair and makeup. Lily is thrilled to be working with such a talented group of artists in helping them bring their characters to life!

Cast Biographies

Zora Abaquin (Eisenstein), soprano

Zora is a junior in Purchase Conservatory of Music Opera Performance/Vocal Studies program. She has also participated in Amahl and the Night Visitors and Hänsel und Gretel as a chorus member. Zora has performed in German scenes from Die Zauberflöte (1st Lady and Papagena) and Hänsel und Gretel (Gretel). She has also performed in Italian scenes from La finta giardiniera (Ramiro) and Idomeneo (Idamante). Zora is a student of Kaori Sato.

Nadia Alalou (Frank), soprano

Nadia is a junior in Purchase College Conservatory of Music Opera Performance/Vocal Studies program. She has previously performed as La Fortuna of Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea and in the chorus of Thomas’ Hamlet. She has performed in Italian and German opera scenes as Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte, Countess in Le nozze di Figaro, Fidelio in Fidelio, Octavian in Der Rosenkavalie and Hanna in The Merry Widow. Ms. Alalou is a student of Kaori Sato.

Rachel Eaton (Adele): soprano

Rachel is a senior in the Purchase Conservatory of Music Opera Performance/Vocal Studies Program. Her most notable roles with Purchase Opera include Amahl, in Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors, La Fortuna in Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea, and Sandman in Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel. Rachel has also appeared as ensemble/chorus in Purchase Opera’s Cendrillon (Massenet), Die Zauberflöte (Mozart), and Hamlet (Thomas). Rachel is a student of Kaori Sato.

Damian Headley (Alfredo), tenor

Damian is a Junior in the Purchase Conservatory of Music Opera Performance/Vocal Studies program. At Purchase College, Damian performed in Hamlet and Poppea. In Italian opera scenes, he appeared as the Count in Le Nozze di Figaro and Podesta in Mozart’s La Finta Giardiniera. He appeared as Don Pizarro in Fidelio’s German scene “Jetzt Alter hat es Eile”, and Danilo in the duet from The Merry Widow. He appears as Alfred in Die Fledermaus. Damian is currently a student of Mr. Jacque Trussel.

James Hernandez (Eisenstein)

James is a junior in the Purchase Conservatory of Music Opera Performance/Vocal Studies program at Purchase College. He holds an Associate of Science degree in Music from Suffolk County Community College. This is his third year at Purchase College. During this time James has appeared as the Vater in Hänsel und Gretel, Horatio in Hamlet, Melchior in Amahl and the Night Visitors and Nerone in L’incoronazione. In Purchase College’s Italian and German opera scenes he appeared as Pizarro (Fidelio), Papageno (Zauberflöte). James is a student of Jacque Trussel.

Teddy Jimenez (Sally), soprano

Teddy is a sophomore in the Purchase Conservatory of Music Opera Performance/Vocal Studies program. She has appeared in Purchase Opera’s production of L’incoronazione di Poppea (Poppea’s servant). Ms. Jimenez is a student of Kaori Sato.

Desara Leka (Adele), soprano

Desara is a senior in the Purchase Conservatory of Music Opera Performance/Vocal Studies program. Desara has performed as Drusilla and Amore in L’incoronazione di Poppea, as Amahl in Amahl and the Night Visitors, the Dew Fairy in Hansel and Gretel, the First Spirit in The Magic Flute. She has appeared as Damigella in L’incoronazione di Poppea, as Orfeo and Amore in Orfeo ed Euridice, and as Marzelline in Fidelio in Italian and German opera scenes. Desara performed in the 2025 Classical Lyric Arts scenes program in the role of Zerlina in Don Giovanni and Despina in Così fan tutte.

Kiera Masci (Rosalinda), soprano

Kiera is a junior in the Purchase Conservatory of Music Opera Performance/Vocal Studies program. She has appeared in Purchase Opera productions of L’incoronazione di Poppea (Damigella/Virtù), Amahl and the Night Visitors (Chorus/Dancer), Hamlet (Chorus), and Hänsel und Gretel (Chorus). She has performed in Italian Opera Scenes as Susannah (Le Nozze di Figaro), and in German Opera Scenes as Sophie (Der Rosenkavalier), Pamina (Die Zauberflöte), and Agathe (Der Freischütz). Ms. Masci is currently a student of Kaori Sato.

Theodore Perrington (Dr. Falke), bass-baritone

Theodore is a sophomore in the Conservatory of Music Opera Performance/Vocal Studies program at Purchase College. Theodore has performed as Ottone and Seneca in L’incoronazione di Poppea, Balthasar in Amahl and the Night Visitors and one of the gravediggers in Hamlet. He has also appeared as Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro and as Don Alfonso in Cosi fan tutte in Italian opera scenes. Theodore is a student of Mr. Jacque Trussel.

Kierra Pizarro (Orlofsky): mezzo-soprano

Kierra is a junior in the Purchase Conservatory of Music Voice & Studies program and is also pursuing a BFA in Arts Management. She has previously appeared in Purchase Opera productions of Amahl and the Night Visitors (Page), L’incoronazione di Poppea (Arnalta). She has also previously performed in German Art Scenes as Hänsel in Hänsel und Gretel and Third Lady in Die Zauberflöte. She is a student of Mrs. Bonnie Hamilton.

Caitlin Rossbotham (Rosalinda): soprano

Caitlin is a graduate student in the Purchase College Conservatory of Music. She has appeared in the choruses of Dido and Aeneas and The Merry Widow, Amahl and the Night Visitors, as well as productions of Into the Woods (Cinderella), Turn of the Screw (Miss Jessel), The Old Maid and The Thief (Laetitia), and L’incoronazione di Poppea (Pallade). Caitlin would like to thank Jacque Trussel, Sherry Overholt, and Bonnie Hamilton for their thorough instruction and support.

Rhys Stermer (Alfredo): tenor

Rhys is a graduate student at the Purchase Conservatory of Music Opera Performance/Vocal Studies program. Under the tutelage of Jacque Trussel, with Hugh Murphy and Djordje Nessic as his coaches. At Purchase College Rhys has performed in Cendrillon, Le Nozze di Figaro as Don Curzio, Die Zauberflöte as Tamino and Monostatos, Hänsel und Gretel as Hexe, Hamlet as Laërte and Polonius, Amahl and the Night Visitors as Kaspar, and L’incoronazione di Poppea as Arnalta and Soldato 1. He appeared in Purchase College’s Italian and German opera scenes as Alfredo (La Traviata), Nemorino (L’Elisir d’amore), Rodolpho (La Bohemè), Jaquino and Florestan (Fidelio) and Max (Der Freischütz).

Saige Valentino (Sally): mezzo-soprano

Saige is a sophomore of Purchase Conservatory of Music Opera Performance/Vocal Studies program. She has previously appeared in Purchase Opera’s production of L’incoronazione di Poppea (Servant Girl). Ms. Valentino has participated in All County and Area All State Choir and Orchestra for Voice and Oboe, respectively. She was also selected as the winner of the OCMEA Solo Competition (2024) for Orange County, New York. Ms. Valentino is a student of Kaori Sato.

Aidan White (Frank): baritone

Aidan is a junior in the Purchase Conservatory of Music Opera Performance/Vocal Studies program. Mr. White has performed in Hamlet (Marcellus), Amahl and the Night Visitors (Chorus), and L’incoronazione di Poppea (Mercurio/Soldier 2). Mr. White would like to thank his voice teacher, Jacque Trussel, for his steadfast instruction.

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