DIE FLEDERMAUS

Comic operetta in three acts by Johann Strauss - son

Libretto by Karl Hafner and Richard Genet

First performance: 5 April 1874 at the Anne Der Wien Theatre, Vienna.

First performance in Bulgaria: 1919, Free Theatre - Sofia 

First performance in Ruse: 29 December 1965, conductor - Ilia Temkov, director - Kosta Naumov, artist - Jacques Avdala, choreographer - Pavel Stoitsev, choirmaster - Atanas Dimitrov.

Main characters:

Gabriel von Eisenstein - tenor

Rosalind, his wife - soprano

Adela, Her maid soprano

Alfred, music student, tenor

Dr. Falke, baritone

Dr. Bland, tenor lawyer.

Frank, prison director - bass

Prince Orlovsky - mezzo-soprano

Frosch, prison warden - bass

Friend of Alfred, Warden Frosch's subordinate - without singing

Guests and servants at Prince Orlovsky's ball.

Short synopsis:

First act

In Eisenstein's apartment. Tenor Alfred serenades Rosalind, but his romantic call is heard only by her maid Adela. As she listens to this serenade, Dr. Falke ѝ leaves an invitation to a ball at Prince Orlov's that evening. Adela burns with desire to immerse herself in the glamour of high society. Adela has long dreamed of becoming an actress, and the Prince is known for his patronizing attitude toward the theatrical arts. At this time, Rosalind enters. The maid immediately makes a mournful face - is it possible that tonight she will be absent because the beloved ѝ  aunt is seriously ill. Rosalinda agrees.

Rosalind's husband, Eisenstein, was sentenced to eight days in jail for insulting an official. In large part, however, his conviction was due to the incompetence of his attorney, Dr. Bland. Dr. Falke arrives to invite his friend Eisenstein to Orlowski's ball as well. The notary suggests that Eisenstein tell his wife that he is going to jail, but actually does so on the morning - after the ball. Although he must already appear before the prison authorities, Eisenstein decides to postpone the unpleasant duty for a while and enthusiastically accepts the invitation. With feigned sorrow he bids farewell to his wife and leaves.

Some time ago Eisenstein made a rude joke with Falke. After a ball he carried him out drunk and dressed as a bat into the town square, to the laughter of the whole town. Now at the ball at Prince Orlovsky's, Falke will have an opportunity for revenge - which is why he invites him so insistently to this ball. When Eisenstein goes to dress appropriately as if for a ball, Falke leaves an invitation for Rosalind as well.

After Eisenstein leaves, Rosalind is visited by her admirer, the tenor Alfred, who makes himself at home. At that moment, however, the prison director Frank arrives, having come to take Eisenstein behind bars. To avoid a delicate situation, Alfred introduces himself as Eisenstein's husband and is taken to the prison.

Second act

Hall in the palace of Prince Orlovsky. The guests sing and make merry. The eternally bored Orlovsky now hopes to get a portion of merriment and fun. One by one, the guests arranged by Dr. Falke begin to arrive, posing as strangers. Thus no one suspects the presence of the other. Adela the maid introduces herself as Miss Olga, Eisenstein as Marquis Renard, and Frank the prison director as Schävalier Schagren. The climax comes when Rosalind arrives, disguised and posing as a Hungarian countess. Eisenstein is greatly impressed by the stranger. He does not recognize his wife and begins to flirt with her boldly - he even ѝ leaves his precious watch as a memento. The ball proceeds with great gaiety. Merry cheers are raised, and all, led by Falke, extol the brotherhood among men. Suddenly Eisenstein remembers that time has advanced and he must now enter prison. That's where Frank, the director, has to go back to work. The two take their hats and quickly leave the ball.

Third act

In the prison office. The drunken jailer Frosh sings a song. The director Frank returns, also drunk and in high spirits. From one of the cells comes the voice of the singing Alfred, whom everyone thinks is Eisenstein. Eisenstein himself arrives and declares that he must enter the prison, but is astonished when he is told that Eisenstein is already there. The lawyer Blind arrives, because of whose incompetence Eisenstein is now convicted. The enraged Eisenstein forces him to give him his clothes and wig. Disguised as a lawyer, Eisenstein tells the jailer that he wishes to see his client Eisenstein. Alfred leaves his cell, at which time Rosalind arrives. A misunderstanding ensues in which the real Eisenstein finally removes his wig and reveals his identity. He lashes out at Rosalind with accusations of untruthfulness, but she responds by pulling out the watch she managed to take from Eisenstein at the ball, posing as a Hungarian countess. Now the lustful husband is exposed and, falling to his knees, begs Rosalind's forgiveness. It becomes clear that this was all orchestrated by his friend Falke as revenge for the bat prank, and now Eisenstein has made a fool of himself in front of everyone. Rosalind forgives him and everyone sings a happy final song.