On Easter Sunday in 1874, the operetta "Die Fledermaus (The bat)" by Johann Strauss II was performed for the first time at the Theater an der Wien. The performance was quite successful. There were 40 performances en suite, and only the illness of a leading actress, who subsequently left the ensemble, ended the series. However, the special status of the operetta as the pinnacle of the entire genre was not recognized until later, first in Berlin and Budapest. In Vienna, the critics raised all sorts of objections after the premiere, especially against the libretto by Richard Genée. Today these objections are found ridiculous, and if the American film industry had already been in the habit of awarding particularly successful products with a whole series of awards, then "The Bat" would have deserved a few Oscars: at least for the music, but also for the cleverly structured book and for the best supporting role (because the prison servant frog later became the obligatory “third-act comedian” in operettas). And there would have been a special Oscar for the overture to "The Bat": because its ingenious structure, the charming interplay of motifs and its enchanting, brilliant verve was unmatched by any later operetta prelude. Like the entire operetta, it is a top work of its kind.
Johann Strauss (Sohn): Ouverture zu «Die Fledermaus» © by WJSO-Archive
Thursday, 26. October 201711.00 o' clock Vienna ⁄ Musikverein ⁄ The Große Musikvereinssaal
Fall Concert at Vienna Musikverein
Johannes Wildner conductor
Program Johann Strauss II : Ouverture to «Die Fledermaus» Johann Strauss II : Light of Heart / Quick polka op. 319 Josef Strauss : From Afar / Polka mazurka op. 270 Josef Strauss : Watercolours / Waltz op. 258 Josef Strauss : Impromptu für kleines Orchester * Johann Strauss II : We’re Not That Worried / Quick polka (Galop) op. 413 Franz Lehár : Gold and Silver / Waltz op. 79 Break Johann Strauss II : Be embraced, ye millions! / Waltz op. 443 Johann Strauss II : Melodien-Quadrille op. 112 Johann Strauss II : Chit-Chat Polka op. 214 Josef Strauss : Fire-Proof! / Polka française op. 269 Eduard Strauss I : Clear the Track! / Quick polka op. 45 Johann Strauss II : The Blue Danube / Waltz op. 314
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