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
Saturday, 05. April 202521.30 o' clock MEO Arena
Concert in Lisbon
Alfred Eschwé conductor Nikola Hillebrand soprano Saimir Pirgu tenor Thomas Hampson bariton
Program Johann Strauss II : Ouverture to «Die Fledermaus» Johann Strauss II : Frühlingsstimmen / Waltz for soprano and orchestra op. 410 Johann Strauss II : «Treu sein, das liegt mir nicht» aus der Operette «Eine Nacht in Venedig» Johann Strauss II : Chit-Chat Polka op. 214 Johann Strauss II : «Als flotter Geist», Entreecouplet aus der Operette «Der Zigeunerbaron» Johann Strauss II : Duett aus der Operette «Wiener Blut» Johann Strauss II : Light of Heart / Quick polka op. 319 Johann Strauss II : Emperor Waltz op. 437 Break Johann Strauss II : Thunder and Lightning / Quick polka op. 324 Johann Strauss II : Roses from the South / Waltz op. 388 Johann Strauss II : Eljen A Magyar! « Long Live the Magyar!» / Quick polka op. 332 Johann Strauss II : Medley für Sopran, Tenor und Bariton
MEO Arena Rossio dos Olivais, Lote 2.13.01A Parque das Nações 1990-231 Lisboa Portugal Website About the concert hall Travel Directions Show Map
Order online Order by telephone
Do you want to be informed about our events? Sign up for our newsletter.
Concerts
Orchestra
Media
Shop
Licenses
Contact
Sitelinks
Partner
Newsletter