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
Wednesday, 11. May 202218.30 o' clock Linz ⁄ Brucknerhaus
Frühlingsgrüße aus Wien
Alfred Eschwé conductor
Program Johann Strauss II : Ouverture to «Die Fledermaus» Johann Strauss II : Greeting to Vienna / Polka française op. 225 Johann Strauss II : From the Banks of the Danube / Quick polka op. 356 Johann Strauss II : Danube Maidens / Waltz op. 427 Johann Strauss II : Town and Country / Polka mazurka op. 322 Eduard Strauss I : Unter der Enns / Polka schnell op. 121 Josef Strauss : Village Swallows from Austria / Waltz op. 164 Break Franz von Suppè : Overture to «Light Cavalry» Johann Strauss II : Mephisto’s Summons to Hell / Waltz op. 101 Johann Strauss II : Lucifer Polka op. 266 Johann Strauss II : Artists Quadrille op. 201 Johann Strauss I : Moan gallop op. 9 Johann Strauss II : The Blue Danube / Waltz op. 314
Linz ⁄ Brucknerhaus Untere Donaulände 7 4010 Linz Austria Website About the concert hall Travel Directions Show Map
Do you want to be informed about our events? Sign up for our newsletter.
Concerts
Orchestra
Media
Shop
Licenses
Contact
Sitelinks
Partner
Newsletter