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, 25. October 202311.30 o' clock Graz ⁄ Congress ⁄ Stefaniensaal
National holiday concert
Johannes Wildner conductor
Program Johann Strauss II : Ouverture to «Die Fledermaus» Johann Strauss II : New Life / Polka française op. 278 Johann Strauss II : Light of Heart / Quick polka op. 319 Josef Strauss : Wiener Fresken / Walzer op. 249 Josef Strauss : Ardent Love / Polka mazurka op. 129 Josef Strauss : My Character is Love and Joy / Waltz op. 263 Break Johann Strauss II : Overture to the operetta «Carnival in Rome» Josef Strauss : Moulinet Polka / Polka française op. 57 Johann Strauss II : Morning Papers / Waltz op. 279 Johann Strauss II : Orpheus Quadrille op. 236 Eduard Strauss I : Clear the Track! / Quick polka op. 45 Johann & Josef Strauss : Pizzicato Polka Johann Strauss II : Enjoy Life! / Waltz op. 340 Encore Eduard Strauss I : Brakes off / Quick polka op. 238 Johann Strauss I : Radetzky March op. 228
Graz ⁄ Congress ⁄ Stefaniensaal Sparkassenplatz 1 8010 Graz Austria
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