Fledermaus, Die, is an operetta by the Austrian composer Johann Strauss, Jr. The opera is also known by its English title, The Bat. The Germans Carl Haffner and Richard Genée wrote the libretto (text). The opera is based on the comedy Le Réveillon (1872) by the French playwrights Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy. The operetta was first performed in Vienna, Austria,in 1874.
Strauss is famous for his many popular waltzes, but he also composed 16 operettas. Die Fledermaus became the most popular of his stage works and one of the most popular of all Viennese operettas.
The action of Die Fledermaus takes place at a resort near Vienna during the 1870’s. The story is filled with mistaken identities, disguises, and romantic complications. The major characters include a wealthy Viennese gentleman named Gabriel von Eisenstein; his wife, Rosalinde; Adele, their maid; Alfred, an admirer of Rosalinde; Dr. Blind, a comic lawyer; Prince Orlovsky, a wealthy young Russian; Frank, the governor of a local prison; and a certain Dr. Falke.
Dr. Falke seeks revenge on Eisenstein for a joke Eisenstein played on him in the past. Falke had attended a costume party dressed as a bat, and Eisenstein as a butterfly. After the party, Falke fell asleep, and Eisenstein left him in the woods. To get home the following morning, Falke had to walk through town still dressed as a bat, much to his embarrassment.
As the opera begins, Eisenstein has been sentenced to five days in prison for a minor offense. Instead of reporting to the prison, at the urging of Dr. Falke, he attends a party given by Prince Orlovsky. During Eisenstein’s absence, Alfred woos Eisenstein’s wife, Rosalinde, in her home. When the prison governor comes to the home to escort Eisenstein to jail, Alfred pretends to be her husband to spare Rosalinde embarrassment. Alfred then goes off to prison. The complications that result from the mistaken identity are all resolved happily.
Die Fledermaus is known for its dance music, especially its waltzes and polkas. The high-spirited songs include Adele’s aria “Mein Herr Marquis” (“My dear marquis”) and the drinking song “Im Feuerstrom der Reben“ (“In the fiery stream of the grape”). The overture has become a popular concert piece.
See also Strauss, Johann, Jr.
