To welcome spring, Toronto Operetta Theatre returns to the St. Lawrence Centre stage with the Canadian Premiere of Oscar Straus’s A Waltz Dream (Ein Walzertraum).

One of the greatest hits of operetta’s Silver Age, this romantic tale of love blurs the lines of the class divide with some of the most alluring melodies of the Viennese period. Even the great Franz Lehar was envious of the furor caused by that magical melody called The Waltz Dream. The finale of our season features fresh new faces in leading roles joined by some of our most beloved TOT stars. Soprano Andrea Núñez, a member of Montreal Opera’s Atelier Lyrique will be Helene and Vancouver Opera Young Artist Scott Rumble as Niki – tenor of course! - is the object of her affections. 

Their co-stars are Elizabeth Beeler as Theodora, Keith Klassen as Braganoff, Sean Curran as Crown Prince Joachim IV, Karina Bray as his overbearing Consort Adelaide and our reigning funny-man Gregory Finney as Count Lothar. Conductor Derek Bate leads the cast, chorus, and orchestra, all directed by TOT’s Guillermo Silva-Marin. “After far too many months away from the theatre,” says Silva-Marin, “we are so excited to be on stage again, with wonderful music, comedy and the joy of theatre shared with friends and family”.

That’s Straus, with only one ‘S’

When Franz Lehar’s megahit The Merry Widow premiered in 1905, Oscar Straus supposedly remarked: “I can do that” and so he did. A Waltz Dream premiered at the Carltheater in Vienna in the spring of 1907 and quickly rivalled the popularity of Lehar’s signature work. Straus’ operetta was soon heard in New York, Philadelphia, and London and there have been 5 different film versions. Internationally lauded, Straus continued to compose operettas, ballets, and film scores until his death in 1954.

The Canadian Premiere of Oscar Straus’

A Waltz Dream

3 performances at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts

(27 Front Street East, Toronto)

June 17 (8 pm) *Reduced capacity

June 18 (8 pm) & 19 (3 pm) *Regular capacity

For tickets visit https://tolive.com