The Bat

The Bat (German: Die Fledermaus) is an operetta by Johann Strauss II. It premiered in Vienna on 5 April 1874 and is regarded as the high point of the Golden Operetta Era. The text of the Viennese operetta The Bat is based on the vaudeville (a French burlesque play) "Le Reveillon" by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halevy. Aristocrats, citizens and servants enjoy themselves at a feast, fraternise and everyone pretends to be someone else; at the end the champagne is being blamed.

The Bat is the epitome of Viennese joie de vivre and waltz. It is firmly anchored in the consciousness of the audience as the "queen of operettas" with its excellent waltz melodies. The libretto, based on a French frivolous social satire, was tailor-made for Johann Strauss. It left him enough room for his music and triggered a real creative frenzy in him. The numbers, songs, ensembles, dance and couplets develop easily and charmingly. Even though critics at the premiere found The Bat to be quite scandalous, audiences immediately loved it due to the wonderful music & humour.

The Bat is one of the most famous and celebrated Strauss operettas and is regularly performed at many large international opera houses - not least because of its subtle, stirring and masterfully orchestrated composition. Enjoy the opera The Bat with its memorable, wonderful melodies by the Vienna Opera House Orchestra (Staatsopernorchester). The Orchestra consists of prestigious musicians and several members of the internationally renowned Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

Book your tickets for The Bat at the Vienna State Opera now, before they are all sold out! Make sure to get your tickets here with Vienna Ticket Provider! On New Year’s Eve 2019 & in January 2020, your guaranteed tickets will ensure you experience an unforgettable evening at the Vienna State Opera!

Performances

31st December 2020

1st, 4th and 6th January 2021