The Bat
Operetta comique in three acts by Johann Strauß
Libretto by Richard Genée
2 hours 45 minutes
Debut performance 1874 - Premiere on 23 September 2007
Herr von Eisenstein is sent to prison – but, in truth, he attends the ball of Prince Orlofsky. His spouse pretends to be heartbroken about the separation – but, in truth, the temporary widow is happy, for she can warm up an old love affair. The prison warden in person puts Herrn von Eisenstein in prison – but, in truth, he lags the tenor Alfred (with the irresistible high B), who preliminary has substituted the landlord (dressed with slippers and a night-gown).
Herr von Eisenstein pretends to be French at the ball and bumps into a »compatriot« – who is, in truth, the disguised prison warden (speaking a miserable French). A beautiful visitor of the ball reminds Eisenstein of his chamber maid – and she really is it. Eisenstein flirts with a mysterious Hungarian countess, but, in truth, she is his disguised wife, who steals his watch.
No one in this strange circle is, what he pretends to be. Everybody plays a role, and, nobody knows, that they are all part of a comedy. Everything is a lie or at best half-truth – and even, when it comes to Prince Orlofsky, to whose exhilaration this whole netting of intrigues was established, one isn't really sure. The morning after the ball – when the blanket of hangoverish charity covers all half and entire lapses of the last night and the champagne is blamed for all the turbulences – gives the spectator a profound insight into life of the bourgeois family. And if he is really attentive during the play, he will notice, why the work is named »The Bat«, although, the animal does not appear onstage.
The spectator has definitely seen a work, which cannot be written off, which is truly immortal. It is the masterpiece of the King of Waltz, the Operetta of all the operettas, full of esprit and amusement, with gorgeous, unforgettable melodies.