Die Fledermaus by Johann Straus II, sung here in English, must be one of the best-known of all operettas and this light-hearted production emphasised the joy in the farcical goings on. Director Paul Curran and Designer Gary McCann set the action in the 1920s, suggesting an air of post-war jollity.

The widely experienced and admired opera conductor Paul Daniel, whose recordings with the BSO include a much-recommended Elgar/Payne 3rd Symphony, led proceedings. Smart tempi from the sparkling overture onwards kept the action moving and the whole atmosphere was one of great entertainment.

Like much opera, the important thing is not the preposterous plot, but the emotion of the music – and here, in the safe hands of the BSO and some top singers, Strauss’s flood of memorable tunes made for a truly satisfying evening.

Andrew Hamilton, who sang with the Orchestra in Belshazzar’s Feast in Poole recently, was an inspired Eisenstein and Sylvia Schwartz as Rosalinda wrung much feeling from the part. Ellie Laugharne’s Adele confidently captured the very varied moods of this key role, and Ben McAteer deserves a special mention as a wonderfully scheming Falke.

Myra Dubois, the fabulous drag queen, not only brough the house down as Mme Frosch, but also fitted in marvellously to the general tone and spirit of fun that pervaded the whole occasion.

As an antidote to serious “grand” opera, this production was summer evening treat. Hearing and seeing the BSO in another of its guises was a great pleasure. Their busy work continues. There may still be tickets for their performance at the first weekend of the BBC Proms (which will also be on BBC4 as well as Radio 3) or look for the outdoor symphonic spectaculars around the region.

BSO member and supporter Tom Wickson

We also received reviews from:

The Stage ,The Spectator, Opera Toda, Planet Hugill, Bachtrack, Music OMH,London Unattached and Plays to See.

Keep an eye out on The Grange’s website for our summer performances next year!