The Korea National Opera’s operetta, “Die Fledermaus,” or “The Bat,” to be staged from Nov. 28 through Dec. 1 at the Seoul Arts Center Opera House, is an apt choice for the company’s year-end and 50th anniversary performance.

Set in the flamboyant city of Vienna, the light-hearted operetta written by Johann Strauss II follows a chain of risky pranks between a mischievous playboy and a petty-minded doctor that snowballs until the playboy ends up in jail. But it all wraps up with an all-is-well happy ending.

“The Bat” is said to have all the elements of a fun performance ― revenge, love, infidelity and comedy. The aria which has the wife of the protagonist disguising herself as a woman of chastity while fooling around with her secret lover is the highlight of the satire and irony, according to the KNO. 

“This is the first time the opera company is presenting ‘The Bat.’ We wanted to deliver the holiday spirit and our happy mood. We are considering performing it regularly in the future,” said Kim Eui-joon, KNO general director.

Another reason that “The Bat” was chosen is because the piece reflects the current economic hardships.

“A year before ‘The Bat’ was premiered in Vienna in 1874, the Austrian stock market plummeted, leading to financial depression in the country. ‘The Bat’ shows how some people coped with the ordeal ― society has become more desperate to party because they don’t know what will become of them tomorrow. Still, the piece satirizes the greed of the aristocrats and rich people which was great fun for the ordinary people,” said Stephen Lawless, director of the show.

He said in order to give a familiar impression to the Korean audience unfamiliar with Austrian history, the background of the piece will be moved slightly forward to the 1920s and ‘30s when the Great Depression swept the world. “It is also a great way to present Art Deco, the flashy style era,” Lawless added.

The operetta’s set and costume designer Gideon Davey, choreographer Nicolas Bowie and lighting designer Simon Mills have joined the crew in delivering the spirit of the times, while seasoned singers including tenor Richard Berkeley Steel and soprano Pamela Armstrong will be performing alongside the up-and-coming countertenor David DQ Lee.

Another surprise for the audience will be comedian Kim Byung-man playing the role of Frosche, a jailor and jokester. Since operettas are composed of arias as well as dialogue, Kim will not sing but deliver the lines in Korean.

“There is a tradition that the best comedian plays Frosche. I was recommended Kim before I came here ― he was very talented. I saw the references and said, ‘Book him!’” Lawless said.

The director also said that some Korean culture will be reflected in the piece ― Korean food will be brought up to dinner tables and contemporary pop dance (mimicking Psy’s horseback riding routine) will be performed.

“Comedy is a very serious business. It is easy to make ‘The Bat,’ but to make it funny and credible at the same time is hard and serious,” said Steel. “I hope people will enjoy it,” he added.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)