Grand operatic comedy shows in onscreen performance by the Metropolitan Opera

The grand operatic comedy “Der Rosenkavalier” comes to the Whitefish Performing Arts Center Saturday in a live onscreen performance as part of the Metropolitan Opera Live in HD season.

Presented by Whitefish Theatre Company and the Whitefish Performing Arts Center, Richard Strauss’s deliciously extravagant “Der Rosenkavalier” will start at 10 a.m. with an approximate run time of 4 hours and 45 minutes, including two 30-minute intermissions. Doors open at 9:30 a.m.

Sung in German with subtitles, Strauss’s “Der Rosenkavalier,” or “The Knight of the Rose,” is known as his most popular opera. In Act 1, the aristocratic Marschallin, also known as Princess von Werdenberg, has spent the night with her young lover Count Octavian Rofrano, taking advantage of her husband’s absence. The Marschallin’s boorish country cousin, Baron Ochs, has arrived to announce his engagement to Sophie von Faninal but is in need of a knight to deliver a traditional silver engagement rose. When he asks the Marschallin for advice as to which ‘cavalier’ to choose, she suggests Octavian — who suddenly, to avoid discovery, emerges from his hiding place disguised as a chambermaid. The baron instantly starts to make advances towards “Mariandel,” who quickly escapes as the room fills with the daily crowd of petitioners and salespeople. When the room is cleared, the Marschallin, appalled by the thought of the rude Ochs marrying the innocent young girl, is melancholy as she muses on her own waning youth. Octavian returns to passionately declare his love but she can only think about the passing of time and tells him that one day he will leave her for a younger woman.

In Act 2, on behalf of Ochs, Octavian presents Sophie with the silver rose. However, Sophie forgets all about her pending marriage as soon as she sets eyes on Octavian. The two young people fall instantly in love. Sophie, who has never met the Baron before, is shocked by her fiancé’s crude manners upon their first meeting and refuses to marry him, especially after falling for Octavian. An argument erupts between Ochs and Octavian, and in the confusion, the Baron receives a slight wound and cries bloody murder. A doctor is sent for, but in the end a glass of wine is all that is required to raise the Baron's spirits. Determined to teach the Baron a lesson, Octavian has sent a letter to him, supposedly from the chambermaid "Mariandel", asking Ochs for a rendezvous.

Finally, in Act 3, Octavian, again in disguise as a chambermaid, meets Ochs for a private supper at a house of ill repute. Various pre-arranged “apparitions” increasingly frighten the Baron, prompting the police to arrive as tumult ensues. Finally, the Marschallin arrives to sort out the situation, explaining to Ochs that it was all a farce. Octavian takes off his disguise, leading Ochs to admit his defeat. The Marschallin, realizing she has lost her lover, gives the bewildered Octavian to Sophie, leaving them to realize that their dreams have come true.

A sterling cast assembles for Strauss’s grand Viennese comedy. Leading international soprano Lise Davidsen is the aging Marschallin, opposite mezzo-soprano Samantha Hankey as her lover Octavian and soprano Erin Morley as Sophie, the beautiful younger woman who steals his heart. Bass Günther Groissböck is the churlish Baron Ochs, and Brian Mulligan is Sophie’s wealthy father, Faninal. Maestro Simone Young takes the Met podium to oversee Robert Carsen’s fin-de-siècle staging. Deborah Voight hosts the presentation with exclusive behind-the-scenes access during the intermissions.

Food and beverage will be available for purchase. Tickets will be sold at the door and cost $20 for adults and $10 for students. Cash or check only. Call 406-862-5371 to inquire about student scholarships. Be advised the production contains brief scenes of nudity.

Visit www.whitefishtheatreco.org to read about the entire Met Opera Live in HD season or call 406-862-5371 for more information.