The Bat is an operetta written by Johann Strauss in the 19th century. Its plot is based on two works - the farce “Imprisonment” by Julius Benedix and the French vaudeville “New Year's Eve” by Louis Halevy and Henri Meljak. “Bat” does not leave the stages of world music theaters to this day.
History of creation and characters
“Bat” is an operetta, a brief summary of which will be presented in this article, was written by Johann Strauss in 1874 by order of the director of the Vienna An der Win Theater M. Steiner. He also offered the composer a libretto. I. Strauss liked the witty, festive and funny plot. The composer wrote an operetta in six weeks. In April 1874, the premiere of the play took place. At first the operetta was not very popular, although for many years it was included in the repertoire plans of all theaters in Vienna.
The triumph of “Bat” took place 20 years later, when an option edited by Gustav Mahler appeared on the scene.
Characters
- Eisenstein.
- Rosalind is his wife.
- Adele is a maid in the Eisenstein house.
- Ida is her sister.
- Alfred is a singing teacher.
- Notary Falk.
- Lawyer Blind.
- Director of the prison.
I. Strauss
As mentioned above, in 1874 was written "The Bat." The author of the operetta (or rather the music for her) is Johann Strauss Jr. This is the great Austrian composer, who is considered to be the king of the Viennese waltz.
He was born in 1825. His father and two brothers were also famous music writers.
Johann's father dreamed that his son would become a banker, he did not allow the boy to make music. Playing the violin I. Strauss studied secretly. Mother supported her son.
In 1844, Johann graduated from music school and petitioned the magistrate to be given the right to conduct.
Johann Strauss Sr. envied the successes of his son and for a long time, using his influence, did not allow him to prestigious events. But justice eventually triumphed, and talent was noticed.
During a tour with his orchestra in Russia, Johann fell in love with a Russian girl. But her parents were against marriage to a foreigner. When J. Strauss found out that his beloved was married, he got married. His wife was an opera singer. Outwardly, she was very similar to the composer's Russian love.
The wife became Johann not only a faithful companion of life with whom he was happy, but also his impresario.
After the death of Yetty, the composer was married twice more.
The most famous works of I. Strauss:
The operettas written by Johann Strauss: “The Bat”, “Indigo and the Forty Thieves”, “Vienna Blood”, “Merry War”, “Goddess of Reason”, “Cagliostro in Vienna”, “Knight Pasman”, “Prince Methuselah”, “Gypsy Baron”, “Night in Venice”, “Queen's Lace Scarf”, “Scented Scarlet”, “Carnival in Rome” and others.
In total, the composer created 496 works.
First act
In the first act, the Eisenstein house presents us with the “Bat” (operetta). A summary of Act 1 will allow you to know the beginning of the story.
Alfred, who is passionately in love with Rosalind, sings a serenade under the windows of the house. But the woman does not respond to the feelings of the young man, she is faithful to her husband. The maid Adele receives an invitation to the ball from the famous patron. She asked the hostess for the evening, supposedly to the sick aunt.
Eisenstein appears soon. He lost in court and now he will be forced to spend 8 days in prison due to the imprudence of quarreling with an officer.
A notary comes into the house and invites Aizenstein to the same ball where Adele will go. A man is going to have fun.
Rosalind and Alfred remain in the house. At that moment, the prison director comes to pick up Eisenstein. He takes Alfred for the husband of Rosalind. In order not to compromise his beloved, Alfred confirms that he is Eisenstein, and goes to prison.
Second act
In the second act, the Bat takes us to the house of Prince Orlovsky (operetta). The summary of the second act allows you to find out what events occurred during the ball.
The guests gathered, singing, dancing and having fun. But this is not just a ball, but a masquerade, all the guests arrived in costumes and masks. Eisenstein, his wife and Adele take turns at the ball.
Rosalind dressed up in a bat costume. Her husband Eisenstein did not recognize his wife in disguise. Rosalind, however, immediately realized that this was her husband, but did not show her mind. Eisenstein really liked the beautiful stranger in a bat costume, and he hopes for reciprocity. The hero is already looking forward to a new love adventure. But when Eisenstein asks the bat to take off the mask, she refuses to do this, and instead asks him to give her a watch. The stranger promises that they will meet again, already without masks, and he will be able to recognize her by his gift.
Third act
What ended with the “Bat” (operetta)? A summary of the third step will provide an answer to this question.
The ball ended, and the guests parted, whither. Eisenstein, Rosalind and the lawyer arrive in prison. First to serve your sentence. Rosalind - in order to restore justice and ensure that Alfred is released. And the lawyer, in order to inform Eisenstein that he has achieved a review of the case, must now be released.
Rosalind’s husband demands an explanation from her why Alfred is in prison under his name. In response to this, she presents her husband with a watch that he presented to a lady in a bat costume at the ball. Eisenstein apologizes to his wife for infidelity. Rosalind forgives her husband.
Reviews
The “bat” (operetta) receives various reviews in its address. As a rule, viewers praise the traditional production, but they don’t like the modern version at all, they consider it vulgar.
You can go to the classic version of Bat with the whole family. The music of I. Strauss is simply magical. The plot itself gives a good mood and creates a festive atmosphere.
Despite the fact that the work is already so many years old, it does not age and invariably gives great pleasure to the public.
This performance is a holiday, bright, light, colorful and full of humor.