Michael Langdon

Most opera houses ring in the New Year with Johann Strauss Jr.'s most popular operetta--the festiveness of which is appropriate for the occasion--and this December 31, 1983, Covent Garden performance follows suit. An exceptional cast--led by Hermann Prey and Kiri Te Kanawa as the couple whose marriage survives the comic indiscretions of three long acts--obviously has as much fun as the audience. Plácido Domingo leads the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House through its paces with panache. Prince Orlofsky's Act II party is always a splendid opportunity to pull out all the stops with surprise "guests," and this performance makes the most of its chance: entering the proceedings to sing one of his tailor-made chansons, "She," is French crooner Charles Aznavour, who is followed by dancers Merle Park and Wayne Eagling, their delightful pas de deux flashily choreographed by Sir Frederick Ashton.

San Catalano, une petite ville de Californie non loin de San Diego, accueille son nouveau chef des pompiers, Vic Rondelli. Au même moment, Max Farrington, célèbre promoteur immobilier, inaugure le chantier d'un nouveau complexe résidentiel. La cérémonie est soudainement troublée par la mort d'un jeune garçon qui succombe à une morsure de serpent. Alors que les travaux avancent, des milliers de crotales hybrides, particulièrement agressifs et venimeux, sèment la terreur dans toute la ville. Face à l'incrédulité des notables, Vic Rondelli doit agir seul pour arrêter l'invasion...

A version of Benjamin Britten's opera based on the Melville story. Will the virtuous young sailor Billy Budd be hanged for murder?