Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg Faces the Music in Classic Opera

They say the opera ain't till the fat lady sings — but in this case it's Ruth Bader Ginsberg, who's set to appear in a non-singing role in a new production of "The Daughter of the Regiment."

The 83-year-old Supreme Court justice will trade her black robe for a flowing white gown and flowery top hat to play the Duchess of Krakenthorp in the beloved show by Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti, NPR's Nina Totenberg reports.

And longtime jurist will be playing her role for laughs, with her character compared to that of the lofty dowager portrayed by Margaret Dumont in numerous Marx Brothers movies.

In one scene, Totenberg says, the duchess observes the best leaders of the House of Krakenthorp have been "persons with open but not empty minds, individuals willing to listen and learn."

Then she turns to the audience and quips, "Is it any wonder that the most valorous members . . . have been women?"

A lifelong opera fan, Ginsberg will be in the show for opening night only — Nov. 12th — at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The show's artistic director originally wanted her for all eight shows, but Ginsberg said she couldn't have "a day job and a night job."

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