Fife Opera Presents: Die Fledermaus

Die Fledermaus or the Revenge of the Bat is an operetta (light opera) composed by the Austrian waltz king Johann Strauss 2.

It is a light-hearted jibe at the prevailing heavy bureaucracy and strict class that existed all over Europe in the 19th century up until the outbreak of World War1. To the ball Set in Vienna, Falke is seeking to revenge his friend Eisenstein for having been abandoned, exposed and humiliated dressed as a bat at a previous Ball. He sees his chance when he learns that Eisenstein a rich “party lover” has been sentenced to 8 days in prison for insulting an official coinciding with the invitation he has received to Prince Orlovsky’s ball.

Falke knows he will choose to go to the ball, despite his sentence. Eisenstein doesn’t tell his wife, Roselinda who believes he is reporting to prison. It transpires however that Roselind, her maid Adele and Frank, a family friend have also been invited to the ball unbeknownst to Eisenstein and the others and have been asked to come in disguise. The characters are each bent to have on their own bit of fun at Eisensteins expense.

The opera contains many well known arias duets and choruses including King Champagne, Laughing song and Czardas.