The College of Music is scheduled to hold its annual opera production Jan. 18 and 20. Strauss’ Die Fledermaus is the main event and is directed by David Morelock and conducted by Carol Rausch.To give more students a chance to perform, many roles will be played by different actors on different nights.Through vocal performances by Loyola students, graduates and local theater actors, the opera tells the story of the prank that Dr. Falke plays on his friend Gabriel Eisenstein. Falke attempts to get revenge for being left in the park after a drunken night at a costume party.”It’s a pretty convoluted plot, but it’s also simple in that it’s all a joke,” said Patrick Jacobs, A’98, who plays the part of Dr. Falke in both performances.In Die Fledermaus, Falke invites Eisenstein to a costume party at which some of their friends are involved in the trick about to be played on him.By the end of the party, Eisenstein is caught flirting with “another woman,” who actually is his wife in costume.Everyone’s true identity is revealed, and the joke succeeds with the help of an aide called Champagne.The production is Morelock’s ninth at Loyola, but he said the difference in this production is that he not only must direct it but also produce it. That job includes arranging the lighting and getting costumes, sets and props in order.The elaborate sets came from the New Orleans Opera, where Rausch is on staff.”It’s been a really good experience for me. I’ve never worked with any [other director], but I’ve heard he’s (Morelock) the best,” said Kristen Bauer, communications senior, who is scheduled to play Eisenstein’s wife Rosalinda in Friday’s performance.Jacobs, who attends graduate school in New York, said he feels the same way.”It’s always pleasant to work with a director who has firm ideas and a consistent vision,” he said. “I can’t say anything bad about it. It’s very strong, especially for a university performance.”Morelock said no justification is needed for students to go see the opera except that it’s very entertaining and very well done.”If things go right, you may very well pay a lot more money to see these performers later in their careers,” Morelock said.