Opera Providence seemed to be on the right track with its decision to stage lesser-known operas that can’t be heard most places. So far this season, the company has done a couple of amusing one-acts by Lee Hoiby and a respectable rendition of the charming Scott Joplin folk opera Treemonisha.

Those were shows that allowed Opera Providence, which doesn’t have the wherewithal to compete with the big boys like Boston Lyric Opera, to carve out a niche for itself.

But now that it has gone with a chestnut like Die Fledermaus — on stage tonight and Sunday afternoon at the Columbus Theatre — the company runs the risk of looking like just another community troupe. With such familiar fare as Johann Strauss Jr., you’ve got to come up with special touches.

As it is, this Fledermaus is pretty run of the mill, a 2 1/2-hour show with few surprises. Thankfully there is some fine singing, especially from the likes of the warm tenor Ethan Bremner as Rosalinda’s ex-flame Alfred, and from soprano Sara Heaton, who was terrific as the devious chamber maid Adele. Her famed “Laughing Song” was right on the money.

But the production has skimped when it comes to the orchestra, which played in tune at yesterday’s dress rehearsal, but was a little anemic with just a dozen members.

And the sets are pretty basic, with the same angular, lopsided archway framing the action in all three acts. Just

the drapes and the sofas change.

There also seemed to be missed opportunities in the ball scene, when Dr. Falke exacts his revenge on Eisenstein for leaving him drunk on a park bench in a costume party’s bat suit. Couldn’t something have been done to spice things up?

As it is, the only quirky bit comes from mezzo Gigi Mitchell-Velasco in the trouser role of eccentric Prince Orlofsky, the party’s host. She turned up in a fur cap, cigarette holder and shades, speaking in a thick Russian accent. And as always, her singing was divine.

Otherwise, this is a long show that scores its points with vocal talent and Strauss’ lilting waltzes.

In fact, most of the singers are local, which says a lot about the excellent talent pool here.

Rhode Island College’s Fred Scheff did a nice job with the important role of Eisenstein, who skips out on his date with the jailer Frank to attend the ball at Orlofsky’s palace. Little does he know that his wife, Rosalinda, will be there dressed as a masked Hungarian countess. This leads to some awkward moments for Eisenstein.

Scheff’s voice doesn’t have quite the glow of Bremner’s, but he’s a solid singer and a pretty good actor.

Patrice Tiedemann, the Rosalinda, was also in good voice.

Performances of Die Fledermaus take place tonight at 8 and Sunday afternoon at 3 at the Columbus Theatre, 270 Broadway, Providence. Tickets are $20, $35 and $60. Call (401) 331-6060, (401) 621-6123, or log on to www.arttixri.com.