Die Fledermaus (The Bat) is a three-act operetta composed by Austrian composer Johann Strauss II (October 25, 1825 – June 3, 1899). Libretto is written in German by Carl Haffner and Richard Genée. It is based on "Le Réveillon" by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy. It was premiered in Vienna, Theater an der Wien, on April 5, 1874. The setting is in 19th century Vienna.
Johann Strauss II's famous operetta Die Fledermaus has the Viennese brand of charm, sparkling orchestration, and much of the action carried through with an almost Mozartian freedom.
Notable Arias: "Klänge der Heimat" (Rosalinda), "Trinke, Liebchen" (Alfred), Orlofsky's aria (Orlofsky).
Cast / Characters
- Baron Gabriel Eisenstein (tenor)
- Rosalinda, His wife (soprano)
- Adele, Their maid (soprano)
- Alfred, a singer (tenor)
- Dr. Falke, A friend of Eisenstein (baritone)
- Dr. Blind, His lawyer (tenor)
- Frank, A prison governor (baritone)
- Sally or Ida (soprano or speaking)
- Prince Orlofsky (mezzo)
- Speaking: Frosch the gaoler
Plot Summary / Synopsis
Overture. A blend of melodies from the operetta itself, the famous waltz heard early on.
Act I. Eisenstein's Home
Alfred serenades Rosalinda while Adele wonders how she can go to Prince Orlofsky's ball. She asks for a leave 'to see her poor sick aunt' but Rosalinda refuses. She reminds her maid that Eisenstein will serve five days in jail for hanging a man's coat on the rack while the man is still in it.
Eisentstein is furious at Blind's representation of him which made the court extend the sentence from five to eight days. Falke persuades Eisenstein to go with him to Orlofsky's party instead of going to jail. Eisenstein recollects the time when he left Falke out in the park the night after a costume parade. The next morning, Falke was surrounded by all the Sunday promenaders and the worse embarrassment was that he had to go home in his bat costume. The two men agree on a disguise for Eisenstein. Rosalinda, who assumes that her husband is going to spend the night in jail, gives Adele the night off. Rosalinda's lover, Alfred, reappears. Falke leaves a note for Rosalinda telling her to come to Orlofsky's party disguised as a Hungarian countess. Meanwhile Frank, the prison warden, mistakes Alfred as Eisenstein, and takes him to jail.
Act II. Prince Orlofsky's Ball
Falke sets the stage for his practical joke: He introduces Eisenstein to the prince and announces that Adele is actress Olga. Eisenstein and Adele recognized each other. Falke and the guests laugh at Eisenstein for calling Adele a chambermaid. Rosalinda arrives wearing her costume. Falke introduces her as a Hungarian countess. Rosalinda immediately recognizes her husband an Adele. Eisenstein unknowingly woos his wife, with the aid of his charming watch. Rosalind pockets the watch. The guests toast champagne. When the clock strikes six, Eisenstein hurries off to jail with Frank.
Act III. In Prison
Frosch the jailer has been drinking. Adele appears with her sister, Sally, hoping that Frank will help her launch her stage career. Frank locks up Adele and Sally to get them out of the way. He still believes that Alfred is Eisenstein. He explains how he found the prisoner (actually Alfred) kissing Rosalinda. Alfred demands a lawyer and Blind is sent for. Rosalinda bails out Alfred. When Blind arrives, Eisenstein intercepts him, forcing Blind to exchange clothes. Disguised, Eisenstein interrogates his wife and Alfred. Eisenstein removes his disguise and everything is revealed. Frank has Adele and sally brought down to identify Eisenstein. Falke arrives with Orlofsky and his guests. Falke explains how he has made plans as his revenge for Eisenstein's previous joke on him. Alfred also claims that his visit to Rosalinda was part of the joke. The prince offers to sponsor Adele in the theater. Everybody toasts.
Sources:
Opera, by Alan Riding and L.D. Downer, Dorling Kindersley (DK), 2006
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Opera, by H. Rosenthal and J. Warrack, OUP, 1964
The Da Capo Opera Manual, by Nicholas Ivor Martin. New York: Da Capo Press, 1997
The Harrap Opera Guide, by Sir Alexander F. Morley. London: Harrap, 1970
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