Operetta in Three Acts by Johann Strauss II | Sung in German

Eine Nacht in Venedig (A Night in Venice) is considered to be one of the most beautiful of the Strauss operettas and interestingly, his only operetta to be premiered outside Vienna. Although the music was praised, many criticized the libretto as banal and silly however Strauss, unperturbed, worked with librettists F. Zell and Richard Genée and made several alterations. As a result, Eine Nacht in Venedig became established as one of the world’s three most recognized operettas alongside Die Fledermaus and The Merry Widow. Though largely unknown in North America, this Viennese treasure is a favourite in Germany and Austria.

The plot of this farcical, romantic comedy is as full of twists and turns as the city of Venice itself. The Duke of Urbino, a notorious womanizer, is bored in Venice when he meets Barbara, the wife of an elderly senator. Flirtation and intrigue ensue during a Carnival ball, with a colourful cast of characters including a barber, fisherman’s daughter, macaroni chef, and a naval officer. The men might try to dupe the women, but the women are too sharp to be fooled!

Jonathan Girard | Conductor
Nancy Hermiston | Director
UBC Symphony Orchestra