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How can you lose with a cast of characters like this? A sweet-voiced lover, his object d'amour -- a married woman who can't resist his high Cs -- her philandering husband, their ambitious chambermaid, and a fellow bent on revenge, to name a few. Add a lavish party with dancing, cavorting and lots of champagne and you've got a recipe for pure, unmitigated entertainment.

Manitoba Opera (MOA) launched its 2006/7 season Saturday night with a splashy production of the 1874 hit, Die Fledermaus, a light-hearted story of revenge. Director Ann Hodges' inspired vision came to life within seconds of the curtain rising.

Filled with familiar arias and Strauss's infectious waltz tunes, it also features comical dialogue, wonderfully carried off by the ensemble. Although the production is in English, surtitles are still projected.

The story revolves around a grudge that Dr. Falke (played by Winnipeg-born baritone Gregory Dahl) harbours against his friend, Gabriel von Eisenstein (American tenor, Mark Thomsen). After a fancy dress ball, Eisenstein left Falke, still dressed in his bat costume, to sleep off his drunkenness on a park bench. Falke awoke the next day to the teasing of a pack of schoolchildren, who chased him and nicknamed him Dr. Fledermaus (Dr. Bat). Determined to get back at Eisenstein, Falke schemes to discredit him with his wife, Rosalinde (Robin Follman).

The cast is marvellous, with the Eisensteins' chambermaid Adele, sung by gifted Winnipeg coloratura Nikki Einfeld, a clear standout. Her rendition of the famous "Laughing Song" (Mein Herr Marquis) was flittingly light, with the highest notes floating to the top balcony, clear and purely crafted. Accompanied by her amusing body language and facial expressions, it was truly delightful.

Canadian tenor Stuart Howe was a hilarious Alfred, the lover who wouldn't quit. His lilting voice and sparkling eyes had Rosalinde swooning - and it had a similar effect on many female audience members. Expressive and accurate, he manoeuvred through the most demanding arias with ease and style.

Dahl gave a strong performance as the title character. He has great stage presence - totally commanding. His rich-toned voice carried throughout the hall more than any other performer, staying impeccably in tune and assured.

Thomsen, on the other hand, was not always clearly audible. His light tenor left some listeners straining. An accomplished actor, however, he played the flirty Eisenstein to perfection.

Follman was a convincing and appealing Rosalinde, showing great versatility in her disguised role as the Hungarian countess in the "Czardas" aria, where she sings dramatically of her beloved homeland. Full of pathos and enhanced by magisterial movements, it was an engaging masterpiece.

The party scene held at Prince Orlofsky's opulent residence was full of fun and sarcasm, with the entire opera chorus onstage performing a variety of stunts, including a semi-clothed can-can by the men. Seven dancers, led by former Royal Winnipeg Ballet diva Sarah Murphy-Dyson, kicked up their heels in some high-energy numbers choreographed by Brenda Gorlick, lending extra festive flair to the party.

David Warburton showed sheer genius in his portrayal of Frosch, the drunken prison guard. His comic stylings with a rolling chair, bucket and broom were hilarious. If only the simulated urination scene had been omitted, this could have remained a totally tasteful production. As well, Eisenstein proclaiming that "J'ai une baguette dans mon pantalon" was an unfortunate lapse in propriety.

Veteran opera conductor Tyrone Paterson urged the most out of a very bright and alert-sounding Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. The smooth waltz rhythms were especially fresh, with listeners' heads nodding even before the curtain opened.

Sets were magical, drawing oohs and aahs from the crowd. Costuming was lavish and colourful, making this a superb got-it-all package.

COSTA MESA – Hailey Tweter, 14, experienced her first major performance as an opera singer Sunday.

Robert Nicholas Boragno, 18, stood on stage for one of his last Orange County performances before heading to a New York music school.

The two were among 200 students from the Orange County High School of the Arts who sang, danced, acted and gave their best performances Sunday night at the annual year-end talent showcase, Season Finale.

"When you're up there singing opera, you fell like you're opening your soul," said Tweter, a freshman who joined fellow students to rehearse and prepare for the show at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. "It's hard to describe, it's the best thing in the world."

Boragno is heading to the Manhattan School of Music in August. Tweter hopes someday to go to a performing arts college.

Sunday was all about the moment. Opera singers practiced their vocals in the elevator, applied fake eyelashes and tightened each other's corsets in the dressing rooms.

Robin Follman, a renowned opera singer and Orange native, led the opera students in their part of the three-hour performance, which ended with a tribute to Andrew Lloyd Webber and a segment of Phantom of the Opera.

"When I'm on stage, I'm in a different world," said Follman, who directed and sang in the student's rendition of "Amore!... Chi del sogno di Doretta," a story about how people at a dinner party define love.

The Santa Ana-based Orange County High School of the Arts teaches 1,250 youths in grades 7 through 12 in different fields of study, including classical and contemporary dance, creative writing, film, television, instrumental music, theater and opera.

Follman became involved to help students who she believes need to hone their skills at a young age. The full-time singer often juggles her career and her responsibilities at the school.

This year was her first experience directing and singing at the same time. With the rising popularity of recording artists like Josh Groban and Sarah Brightman, young students are increasingly looking for training in classical music, Follman said.

Tweter, whose interest in music started at the age of 5, first heard about the school when she was in sixth grade at Newport Coast Elementary School. She auditioned and was accepted for a spot.

Boragno started attending the art school six years ago when he discovered his passion was opera.

"(Opera singing) created feelings in me that nothing else can," he said. "Believe in yourself or else you don't have a chance."

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